Materials and methods for assessing progression of prostate cancer

ABSTRACT

Methods of distinguishing and identifying a patient with aggressive/indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma comprising contacting a sample from the patient with a set of detectably labeled probes under hybridization conditions and determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample; sets of probes for use in such methods; and kits comprising a set of probes and instructions for distinguishing or identifying a patient as having aggressive/indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/020,990, filed Jul. 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods for assessing progression ofprostate cancer as well as sets of probes and kits useful in suchmethods.

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men, and, after lungcancer, the second leading cause of death in men. There were anestimated 241,740 new cases in 2012 resulting in 28,170 deaths(www.cancer.gov). Most tumors are confined to the prostate, and mostpatients develop clinically insignificant prostate cancer, while otherpatients develop disseminated disease that is rapidly fatal.

Currently, about 30% of prostate cancer recurs after radicalprostatectomy (RP). The identification of patients with a highrecurrence risk is a challenge. The natural history of prostatecarcinoma is extremely variable and rather unpredictable by existingmethods (e.g., Gleason score). There is a need for effective predictorsof tumor recurrence following surgery in order to determine whether apatient should be treated immediately with adjuvant therapy. Patientswith tumors that are not biologically malignant would not benefit fromsuch medical intervention. The foregoing, coupled with the significantmorbidity associated with RP for apparently localized disease, and thehigh cost of RP, underscore the importance of discovering reliablemolecular markers to predict the behavior of individual carcinomas.

Various markers and methods have been disclosed. For example, themeasurement of the level of amplification of the HER-2/neu gene byfluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) has been disclosed to be amethod of determining the severity of prostate cancer (Int'l Pat. App.Pub. No. WO 1998/045479; “the '479 application”). In accordance with themethod of the '479 application, a patient having five or more copies ofHer-2/neu is treated aggressively. The determination of the presence ofan amplified 8q24.1-24.2 chromosome band segment has been disclosed tobe a method of diagnosing prostate cancer progression (U.S. Pat. No.5,658,730). The determination of the loss of the 8p21-22 locus, a gainof chromosome 8, and an additional increase of the copy number of c-mycrelative to the centromere copy number has been disclosed to be a methodof prognosticating prostate cancer (U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,510). A gain of8q24 (c-myc) and a loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 8p21-22 (Bova et al.,Cancer Res. 53: 3869-3873 (1993); and Kagan et al., Oncogene 11:2121-2126 (1995); see, also, Emmert-Buck et al., Cancer Res. 55:2959-2962 (1995), regarding allelic loss for 8p12-21) and 10q23 (PTEN)(Yoshimoto et al., Br. J. Cancer 97(5): 678-685 (Sep. 3, 2007; epub Aug.14, 2007) also have been disclosed. Testing for the loss ofheterozygosity at one or more loci on one or more of chromosomes 1-22has been disclosed as a method of detecting a cell with a neoplastic orpreneoplastic phenotype (U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2003/0165895; “the '895application”). The methods of the '895 application are disclosed asapplicable to the detection of genetic changes relating to theprogression of various cancers. Analysis of 20P1F12/TMPRSS2, such as ina method of identifying evidence of a neoplasm, has been disclosed asuseful for the assessment of prostate cancer (U.S. Pat. No. 7,037,667).Detecting a fusion between a 5′ portion of TMPRSS2 and a 3′ portion ofERG, ETV1, ETV4 or FLI1 and the presence of a PCA3 nucleic acid moleculehas been disclosed as another method of identifying or characterizingprostate cancer (U.S. Pat. No. 8,580,509; see, also, U.S. Pat. Nos.8,211,645 and 7,718,369 and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2012/0295809). Amethod of predicting recurrence, progression, and metastatic potentialof prostate cancer comprising detecting three or more biomarkersselected from FOXO1A, SOX9, CLNS1A, PTGDS, XPO1, LETMD1, RAD23B, ABCC3,APC, CHES1, EDNRA, FRZB, HSPG2, and TMPRSS:ETV1 is disclosed in U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0230361 and Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. WO2010/056993. Screening prostate cancer patients with ERG-activation orERG-translocation in order to evaluate responsiveness to anti-ERGtherapy is disclosed in Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. WO 2008/023087. Thedetection of TMPRSS2:ERG fusions, duplications thereof, and interstitialdeletions 5′ to ERG, along with Gleason score and PSA level, have beenreported to enable stratification of patients with prostate cancer(Attard et al., Oncogene 27(3): 253-263 (January 2008); e-pub. Jul. 16,2007). The detection of the overexpression of ERG, as well as the fusionof a 3′ portion of ERG with a 5′ portion of an androgen-regulated gene,such as TMPRSS2, NDRG1, SLC45A3 or PSA, has been disclosed for theearly-stage diagnosis of prostate cancer (U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2012/0220672; see, also, U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/0039889 in reERG:NDRG1 fusions). The use of HERPUD1:ERG and AX747630:ETV1 fusions inthe identification of prostate cancer in a patient has been disclosed inU.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/0015839 (see, also, U.S. Pat. App. Pub.Nos. 2009/0239221 and 2009/0208937 for the use of other ERG and ETV1gene fusions). The use of MIPOL1:ETV1 to detect prostate cancer isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0028336, whereas the use ofACSL3:ETS, such as ACSL3:ETV1, to diagnose a patient as having prostatecancer, as having aggressive prostate cancer, or as likely to developprostate cancer and to assess whether a prostate tumor in a patient issuitable for anti-androgen therapy is disclosed in Int'l Pat. App. Pub.No. WO 2009/0144460 (“the '460 application”). Also disclosed in the '460application is the use of an ETV1 fusion to assess Gleason score and/orclinical stage of prostate cancer and determine prognosis for prostatecancer. The detection of an ARG-ETS gene fusion, such as ARG:ERG andARG:ETV1, has been disclosed as a method of screening for a prostateneoplasm (Canadian Pat. App. No. 2814598). U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2012/0214684 discloses the use of a marker selected from OCT3/4, Nanong,Sox2, c-Myc, Klf4, Keratin 8, and uPAR in the detection of a neoplasia,such as prostate carcinoma, the characterization of the aggressivenessof prostate cancer, the monitoring of the effectiveness of therapy, andthe selection of a treatment. Methods of assessing the progression ofcancer and diagnosing carcinoma, melanoma, colon cancer, and prostatecancer by examining the level of an expression product of a geneselected from a group, which includes ETV1, among other methods, aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2007/0237770. The measurement of atleast two cell-cycle genes, such as AURKA, alone or in furthercombination with PTEN, has been disclosed in the classification ofcancer, such as prostate cancer, in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2012/0041274. The use of MYC RNA, alone or in further combination withPTEN RNA, has been disclosed for the assessment of survivability in U.S.Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/0009581. The determination of survival (e.g.,diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of response, and/or relative survivalrate) for a disease, such as cancer (e.g., prostate cancer), byquantification of at least two proteins, such as PTEN, is disclosed inU.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0306514. The use of PCA3 and at least oneother marker selected from a group, which includes TMPRSS2:ERG, todetect prostate cancer is disclosed in Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. WO2009/0140741. A method of diagnosing prostate cancer progression, orprostate cancer recurrence, comprising determining the presence of anamplified 8q24 chromosomal band segment is disclosed in Int'l Pat. App.Pub. No. 1996/020288. The use of a hybridization composition, whichcomprises a probe, a polar aprotic solvent other than DMSO, less than10% formamide, and hybridization solution to detect a condition, such ascancer (e.g., prostate cancer), is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2011/0281263. The probe in the hybridization composition can detect, forexample, c-MYC, MYCN, PTEN, MDM2, FGFR1, AURKA, CEP8 or CEP10, amongothers. A method of characterizing prostate tissue by determining thelevels of expression of a set of genes selected from ABP280 (FLNA),AMACR, AR, BM28, BUB3, CaMKK, CASPASE3, CDK7, DYNAMIN, E2F1, E-CADHERIN,EXPORTIN, EZH2, FAS, GAS7, GS28, ICBP90, ITGA5, JAGGED 1, JAM1,KANADAPTIN, KLF6, KRIP1, LAP2, MCAM, MIB1 (MK167), MTA1, MUC1,MYSOIN-VI, P27, P63, PAXILLIN, PLCLN, PSA (KLK3), BAP27, RBBP, RIN1,SAPKα, TPD52, XIAP, and ZAG is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2006/0234259; the method reportedly can involve prognosis, such aspredicting prostate disease progression. Measurement of the level of twoor more determinants selected from a list of 372 determinants in amethod of assessing risk of recurrence of cancer or development ofmetastasis is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0265197; themethod can reportedly involve measurement of a standard parameter, suchas Gleason score for prostate cancer. The measurement of the expressionlevel of ERG, alone or in further combination with the expression levelof AMACR, in the diagnosis or prognosis of prostate cancer also has beendisclosed in U.S. Pat. App. No. 2013/029860 (see, also, U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2010/0215638 for the use of other ERG-associated genes in thescreening of prostate cancer and the like). The detection of one or morebiomarkers (e.g., RNA or protein) selected from a group consisting ofCSPG2, WNT10B, E2F3, CDKN2A, TYMS, TGFB3, ALOX12, CD44, LAF4, CTNNA1,XPO1, PTGDAS, SOX9, RELA, EPB49, SIM2, EDNRA, RAD23B, FBP1, TNFRSF1A,CCNG2, LETMD1, NOTCH3, ETV1, BID, SIM2, ANXA1, BCL2, FOXO1A, CLNS1A,PTGDS, XPO1, LETMD1, RAD23B, ABCC3, APC, CHES1, EDNRA, FRZB, HSPG2,TMPRSS2:ETV1, CSPG2, CDKN2A, and others has been disclosed for theprediction of the recurrence, progression and metastatic potential ofcancer (see U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2013/0005837). The combination ofFGFR1, PMP22, and CDKN1A has been reported to predict accurately theoutcome of low Gleason-score tumors (Irshad et al., Sci. Transl. Med.5(202): 202 (Sep. 11, 2013)). A method of diagnosing cancer, such asprostate cancer, comprising detecting differential expression of a geneselected from a group of 73 genes, which includes FGFR1, is disclosed inCanadian Pat. App. No. 2604844 (see, also, European Pat. App. No.2083088). The use of PCA3 and a prostate-specific marker (e.g., NKX3.1),such as a ratio thereof, to prognose, assess tumor volume, monitor,determine risk of progression, and stage prostate cancer also has beendisclosed (U.S. Pat. No. 8,257,924). The use of two or more genesselected from PSA/KLK3, PMEPA1, NKX3.1, ODC1, AMD1, and ERG to prognoseprostate cancer, or evaluate androgen receptor signaling, such as bydetection or measurement of expression, is disclosed in Canadian Pat.App. No. 2719172. The use of at least two molecular markers selectedfrom her2/neu, p16, p53, Ki67, MN, mdm-2, bcl-2, and EGFR in anautomatable method for identifying cancer cells and their precursorcells in a cell/tissue sample, such as a sample obtained from aprostate, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,727. A method ofprognosticating prostate cancer comprising determining a hybridizationpattern of a set of chromosomal probes consisting of probes for 8p21-22,chromosome 8, and C-MYC is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,510. The useof antibodies to ERG, TFF3 and a high molecular weight cytokeratin todetect prostate cancer has been disclosed, including completeconcordance between ERG expression by IHC and ERG gene status (i.e.,rearrangement) by FISH, although no association between ERG/TFF3expression and parameters, such as age, PSA, Gleason score, tumor stage,and biochemical recurrence, was observed (Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. WO2013/0173463). The use of expression levels of c-Myc, Ha-Ras, NeuT,and/or c-Src in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, the classification ofa prostate cancer/tumor into a distinct prostate cancer subclass, and,in further combination with ErbB2, the stratification of a patient witha tumor, such as a prostate tumor, for clinical trial is disclosed inU.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/0109245. The use of two or more markersselected from TARDBP, TLN1, PARK7, ISPI1, CALD1, p73, PTEN, PXN, PEX10,KL3, DBN1, NFAT1, B-Tubulin, SOS1, HSF4, TOP1, HSPA1A, ACID2, STAT2,p53, CHD3 CASP8, STX6, AR, GAPDHS, cyclin D1, and CCNA2 to evaluatediagnostically a subject for prostate cancer is disclosed in U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2014/0066325. A method of subtyping prostate cancer (e.g.,risk of developing lethal neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC))involving the determination of the overexpression/amplification of AURKAand/or MYCN, alone or in further combination with ERG rearrangement, isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2014/037647. The use of five ormore markers selected from HOXA7, AURKA, NEK2, FOXM1B, CCNB1, CEP55,CENPA, DNMT3B, DNMT1, HELLS, MAPK8, BMI1, ITGB1, IVL, and CTNNB1 todiagnose, or monitor progression of, cancer, such as prostate cancer, isdisclosed in Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. 2012/013931. The detection of abreak in the sequence of human chromosome 12q24 at the SMRT gene locususing FISH has been disclosed as a method of determining the likelihoodof prostate cancer metastasis (U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,414). Thedetermination of the level of a constituent, such as PTEN RNA, has beendisclosed in the evaluation of prostate cancer, theassessment/monitoring of response to therapy in a patient with prostatecancer, and the monitoring of the progression of prostate cancer (Int'lPat. App. Pub. No. WO 2008/121132). The detection of increasedexpression of ERG and decreased expression of PTEN, such as by detectingmRNA, protein, or alteration(s) in genomic sequence(s) (e.g.,amplification, deletion, or fusion), to determine the aggressiveness ofprostate cancer or that the prostate cancer has penetrated, or willlikely penetrate, the prostatic capsule is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2013/0196866 as is the detection of decreased expression ofPTEN to determine recurrence of prostate cancer. The use of (i) MYC,PTEN, CEP8 and CEP7, (ii) MYC, LPL, PTEN, and CEP8, or (iii) MYC andCEP8 in the detection of prostate cancer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2013/0171638. The detection of the over-expression of PITX2 hasbeen disclosed as a method for diagnosing the presence or risk ofprostate cancer and, in combination with at least one other factor, suchas PSA or Gleason grade, as a method for prognosticating prostate cancer(Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. WO 2010/099577). The identification of anincreased level of a nucleic acid or polypeptide selected from OCT3/4,Nanog, Sox2, c-myc, KIf4, keratin 8, and uPAR has been disclosed as amethod of identifying a prostate carcinoma, a method of characterizingthe aggressiveness of a prostate cancer, a method of identifying apropensity for developing metastatic prostate cancer, and other methods(Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/037643). A method of predicting thelikelihood of recurrence of cancer following treatment in a patientcomprising determining the expression level of p27, or its expressionproduct, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2003/0225528, whereas amethod for determining the aggressiveness of prostate carcinomacomprising detecting p27 protein is disclosed in Int'l Pat. App. Pub.No. WO 2000/077258, which also discloses a method for determining therate of proliferation of prostate cancer comprising detecting MDM2expression (see, also, Canadian Pat. App. No. 2,375,228). A method ofdetecting a cell with a neoplastic or preneoplastic phenotype comprisingtesting a sample for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at one or more loci onone or more chromosomes, such as those which are related to progressionfrom preneoplasia to invasive carcinoma, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2003/0165895. A method of evaluating prostate cancer comprisingquantitatively measuring at least one RNA (e.g., MYC) under repeatableconditions such that the measurement distinguishes prostate cancer frommelanoma, lung cancer, and colon cancer with at least 75% accuracy isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 20111/097717 (see, also, U.S. Pat.App. Pub. No. 2010/0233691). A panel of isolated cancer biomarkersconsisting of DUSP6, SPRY2 and one or more biomarkers selected from agroup of approximately 33 genes, which includes ETV1, is disclosed inU.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2008/0131885.

In view of the foregoing, there remains a need for more reliable andinformative prognostic methods in the management of prostate cancer. Thepresent disclosure seeks to provide sets of markers, as well as methodsof use and kits comprising the sets of markers, for the assessment ofthe progression of prostate cancer. This and other objects andadvantages, as well as inventive features, will become apparent from thedetailed description provided herein.

SUMMARY

A method of distinguishing between a patient with aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma and a patient with indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma isprovided. The method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        and a break-apart probe for ERG,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a        break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN, or    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2,    -   (vi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (vii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27,    -   (viii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and a chromosome enumeration        probe for chromosome 8 (CEP8),    -   (ix) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-part probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (x) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (xi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN,    -   (xiii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific        probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific        probe for MDM2,    -   (xiv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and a locus-specific probe        for FGFR1,    -   (xv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for MYC,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xvi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        PTEN,    -   (xvii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27, or    -   (xviii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a chromosome enumeration probe        for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a        break-apart probe for ERG, under hybridizing conditions,

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (i)-(vi),(viii), (xi), (xiv), (xv), and (xvii) is used to determine % loss ofFGFR1,

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (vii), (ix),and, as an alternative to % loss of FGFR1, (xiv), is used to determine %gain of FGFR1,

wherein CEP8 in the sets of (ix)-(xiv), (xvi), and (xviii) is used todetermine % loss of CEP8,

wherein the locus-specific probe for PTEN in sets (iii) and (viii) isused to determine % homozygous loss of PTEN,

wherein the locus-specific probe for PTEN in set (xvi) is used todetermine % loss of PTEN, and

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 and CEP8 in the sets of(viii), and as an alternative to % gain of FGFR1, (ix), are used todetermine % loss of FGFR1/CEP8 ratio, and

(b) determining the presence of a chromosomal abnormality in the sample,

wherein a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 30,

wherein a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40,

wherein a FGFR1% gain (% gain is % of cells with FGFR copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 46,

wherein a CEP8% loss (% loss is % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 21 to less than or equal to 36,

wherein a CEP8% gain (% gain is % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40,

wherein a FGFR1/CEP8% loss of greater than or equal to 13 to less thanor equal to 72,

wherein a PTEN % homozygous loss (% homozygous loss is % of cells withPTEN copy numbers of zero) of greater than or equal to two to less thanor equal to 40,

wherein a PTEN % loss (% loss is % of cells with PTEN copy number ofless than two) of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to50,

wherein a ERG 2+Edel of greater than or equal to one to less than orequal to 30,

wherein a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYCN copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 30,

wherein a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 20,

wherein a NKX3.1% loss (% loss is % of cells with NKX3.1 copy numbers<2)of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50,

wherein an ETV1% translocation/deletion of greater than or equal to 1 toless than or equal to 20,

wherein a P27% loss (% loss is % of cells with P27 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50, or

wherein an AURKA % gain (% gain is % of cells with AURKA copy numbers>2)of greater than or equal to 1 to less than or equal to 20

indicates that the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma, whereas none of the above indicates that thepatient has indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma. If a patient has had aprostatectomy, the determination of the presence of a chromosomalabnormality in the sample indicates that the patient has a high risk ofrecurrence or metastasis, in which case the method can further compriserecommending that the patient consult his physician for immediatetreatment to inhibit or prevent recurrence or metastasis. If the patienthas/is being initially diagnosed with prostate cancer and the patienthas a high risk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, themethod can further comprise recommending that the patient consult hisphysician for immediate treatment. If the patient has/is being initiallydiagnosed with prostate cancer and the patient has indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma, the method can further comprise recommending activesurveillance or watchful waiting.

A method of identifying a patient with a high risk of developingaggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma is provided. The method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        and a break-apart probe for ERG,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a        break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN, or    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2, under hybridizing conditions, and

(b) determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample.For (i) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 26 and/or a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cellswith FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, whereas for(ii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 14, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, and/or an ERG %2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10, for (iii) a MYC % gain (% gain is% of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to eight, aFGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greaterthan or equal to 26, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10,and/or a PTEN % homozygous loss of greater than or equal to 20, for (iv)a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greaterthan or equal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greaterthan or equal to 10, and/or a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells withMYCN copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 20, or for (v) a MYC %gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than orequal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greaterthan or equal to 10, and/or a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 10 indicates that thepatient has a high risk of developing aggressive, prostateadenocarcinoma. The probe set of (i) can further consist of, or any ofthe probe sets of (ii)-(v) can further comprise, a chromosomeenumeration probe for chromosome 8, a chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 10, a locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probefor NKX3.1, a locus-specific probe for P27, and/or a break-apart probefor ETV1. The method can further comprise obtaining a clinicalparameter, such as a clinical parameter selected from the groupconsisting of a Gleason score, a tumor stage, a level ofprostate-specific antigen (PSA), a nomogram, methylation status,mutation, and age of the patient, any of which can be combined with thedetermination of the presence of chromosomal abnormalities forprognosis. Thus, in an embodiment, the method comprises (a) contacting asample from the patient with a set of detectably labeled probescomprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe forFGFR1, and a break-apart probe for ERG under hybridizing conditions, and(b) determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample,wherein one or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to 14, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, anda ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10 indicates that the patienthas a high risk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

A method of identifying a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma is also provided. The method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        and a break-apart probe for ERG,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a        break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN, or    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2, under hybridizing conditions, and

(b) determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample.For (i) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two and/or a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cellswith FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10, whereas for(ii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10, and/or an ERG %2+Edel of greater than or equal to two, for (iii) a MYC % gain (% gainis % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two,a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 10, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to10, and/or a PTEN % homozygous loss of greater than or equal to 20, for(iv) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 18, an ERG % 2+Edel ofgreater than or equal to two, and/or a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cellswith MYCN copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 20, or for (v) aMYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greaterthan or equal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greaterthan or equal to two, and/or a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells withMDM2 copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to three indicates thatthe patient has a high risk of developing aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma and none of the foregoing indicates that the patient hasindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma. The probe set of (i) can furtherconsist of, or any of the probe sets of (ii)-(v) can further comprise, achromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a chromosome enumerationprobe for chromosome 10, a locus-specific probe for AURKA, alocus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a locus-specific probe for P27, and/ora break-apart probe for ETV1. The method can further comprise obtaininga clinical parameter, such as a clinical parameter selected from thegroup consisting of a Gleason score, a tumor stage, a level of PSA, anomogram, methylation status, mutation, and age of the patient, any ofwhich can be combined with the determination of the presence ofchromosomal abnormalities for prognosis. Thus, in an embodiment, themethod comprises (a) contacting a sample from the patient with a set ofdetectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, alocus-specific probe for FGFR1, a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and abreak-apart probe for ERG under hybridizing conditions, and (b)determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample,wherein one or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to two, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10, aPTEN % homozygous loss of greater than or equal to 20, and a ERG %2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10 indicates that the patient has ahigh risk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma and none ofthe foregoing indicates that the patient has indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma.

A set of probes is also provided. In one embodiment, the set of probesis:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and a chromosome enumeration        probe for chromosome 8,    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-part probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (vi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (vii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (viii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific        probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific        probe for MYCN,    -   (ix) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2,    -   (x) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and a locus-specific probe        for FGFR1,    -   (xi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for MYC,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        PTEN,    -   (xiii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27, or    -   (xiv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a chromosome enumeration probe        for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a        break-apart probe for ERG. The set of probes can further        comprise a detectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe for        chromosome 8, a detectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe        for chromosome 10, a detectably labeled locus-specific probe for        AURKA, a detectably labeled locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a        detectably labeled locus-specific probe for P27, and/or a        detectably labeled break-apart probe for ETV1.

In another embodiment, the set of probes comprises a detectably labeled,locus-specific probe for MYC, a detectably labeled, locus-specific probefor FGFR1, and a detectably labeled, break-apart probe for ERG. The setof probes can further comprise a detectably labeled, locus-specificprobe for PTEN, a detectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MYCN, adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MDM2, a detectably labeledchromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a detectably labeledchromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10, a detectably labeledlocus-specific probe for AURKA, a detectably labeled locus-specificprobe for NKX3.1, a detectably labeled locus-specific probe for P27,and/or a detectably labeled break-apart probe for ETV1.

A kit is also provided. The kit comprises a set of probes, such as a setof probes as described above, that enables distinguishing between apatient with aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma and a patient withindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma and instructions for carrying out anabove-described method. Alternatively, the kit comprises a set ofprobes, such as a set of probes as described above, that enablesidentification of a patient with a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma or identification of a patient with indolentadenocarcinoma and instructions for carrying out an above-describedmethod.

In one embodiment, the kit comprises (a) a set of probes that enablesidentification of a patient with a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma, wherein the set of probes comprises adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MYC, a detectably labeled,locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a detectably labeled, break-apartprobe for ERG, and (b) instructions for identifying a patient withaggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, wherein the instructions comprisedetermining in a sample obtained from the patient the presence ofchromosomal abnormalities. One or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % ofcells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than 14, an FGFR1% loss (%loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than 26, and aERG % 2+Edel of greater than 10 indicate that the patient has a highrisk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

In another embodiment, the kit comprises (a) a set of probes thatenables identification of a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma, wherein the set of probes comprises a detectablylabeled, locus-specific probe for MYC, a detectably labeled,locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a detectably labeled, break-apart probefor ERG, and a detectably labeled, locus-specific probe for PTEN, and(b) instructions for identifying a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma, wherein the instructions comprise determining in asample obtained from the patient the presence of chromosomalabnormalities. One or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells withMYC copy numbers>2) of greater than two, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is % ofcells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than 10, a PTEN % homozygousloss of greater than 20, and a ERG % 2+Edel of greater than 10 indicatesthat the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma. None of the foregoing indicates that the patient hasindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a KM curve (PFS (progression-free survival); years) vs.survival probability) of FGFR1 gain with a cutoff of six and a log-rankp-value of 0.0062.

FIG. 2 is a KM curve (PFS (years) vs. survival probability) of FGFR1loss with a cutoff of 40 and a log-rank p-value of 0.0009.

FIG. 3 is a KM curve (PFS (years) vs. survival probability) of CMYCgain, ERG 2+Edel, and FGFR1 loss with a log-rank p-value of 0.0001.

FIG. 4 is a KM curve (PFS (years) vs. survival probability) of CMYCgain, ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1 loss, and homozygous loss for PTEN with alog-rank p-value of 0.0048.

FIG. 5A is a ROC curve, which is a graph of 1-Specificity (falsepositive) vs. Sensitivity (true positive), which shows the AUC withGleason score alone.

FIG. 5B is a ROC curve, which is a graph of 1-Specificity (falsepositive) vs. Sensitivity (true positive), which shows the AUC with thecombination of abnormal FISH parameters CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1loss, and PTEN homozygous loss.

FIG. 5C is a ROC curve, which is a graph of 1-Specificity (falsepositive) vs. Sensitivity (true positive), which shows the AUC with theGleason score and the combination of abnormal FISH parameters CMYC gain,ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1 loss, and PTEN homozygous.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides sets of probes, kits comprising a set ofprobes and instructions for carrying out a method, a method of using aset of probes, or a kit comprising the set of probes, to distinguish oridentify a patient with aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma orindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma. The methods are useful in assessingrisk of disease progression, including recurrence and death of disease(DOD), such as assessing risk of disease progression after treatment ofprostatic adenocarcinoma (or prostate cancer), e.g., by radicalprostatectomy. The methods also are useful in monitoring patients overtime, such as patients, who have been identified as having indolent,prostatic adenocarcinoma, and patients, who have been identified ashaving aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma and are being, or will be,treated, such as with adjuvant therapy (e.g., androgen deprivation). Themethods also can be used to confirm results of histological riskprediction and results of novel urine- or blood-baseddetection/screening methods. Thus, the methods can be used to identifypatients for active surveillance or watchful waiting, potentiallydecrease the frequency of biopsies, and potentially reduce unnecessaryradical prostatectomies, thereby improving quality of life for patients.The following terms are relevant to the present disclosure:

“2+Edel” may be used herein to refer to duplication of an ERG genefusion, e.g., a TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion, and interstitial deletion ofsequences 5′ to the ERG gene.

“About” refers to approximately a +/−10% variation from the statedvalue. It is to be understood that such a variation is always includedin any given value provided herein, whether or not specific reference ismade to it.

“Adenocarcinoma,” “prostate adenocarcinoma,” carcinoma of the prostate,”and “prostatic adenocarcinoma” may be used herein to refer to amalignant growth (i.e., cancer) in the prostate.

“AURKA” may be used herein to refer to the aurora kinase A gene. TheEntrez Gene and HGNC cytogenetic bands are 20q13, whereas the Ensemblcytogenetic band is 20q13.2. Aliases for AURKA include ARK1, BTAK,STK15, STK6, A1K, PPP1R47, STK7, serine/threonine kinase 6, Aurora 2,Aurora-related kinase 1, Aurora/IPL1-related kinase 1, breasttumor-amplified kinase, serine/threonine-protein kinase 15,serine/threonine-protein kinase 6, serine/threonine-protein kinaseaurora-A, ARK-1, AURA, hARK1, AURORA2, AurA, serine/threonine kinase 15,aurora/IPL1-like kinase, breast-tumor-amplified kinase, IPL1-relatedkinase, protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 47, serine/threonineprotein kinase 15, AIRK1, AYK1, EC2.7.11.1, and IAK1. “AURKA” is alsoused herein to refer to a probe or a set of probes used to determine achromosomal abnormality involving AURKA, such as an increase in copynumber. A probe for detecting a parameter involving AURKA, such as thecopy number of AURKA, a copy number ratio involving AURKA, or thepercentage gain of AURKA, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the q13 region of chromosome 20 (20q13), whichcomprises the AURKA gene. DNA reference sequences include, but are notlimited to, NC_000020.10 and NT_011362.10.

“Biomarker,” as defined by the National Institutes of Health, is “acharacteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as anindicator of normal biologic processes, pathogenic processes, orpharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention.”

“Break-apart probe” may be used herein to refer to a combination of twodistinctly, detectably labeled probes, which enables the detection of atranslocation. For example, one probe can hybridize at or near the 5′end of a given gene and fluoresce at one wavelength, whereas the otherprobe can hybridize at or near the 3′ end of the given gene andfluoresce at a different wavelength. When the chromosome is in itsnative state, the colors combine as a single color, e.g., yellow. Whenthe chromosome undergoes a translocation, the colors separate, e.g., redand green.

“Chromosome enumeration probe (CEP)” or “centromeric probe” may be usedherein to refer to any probe that enables the number of specificchromosomes in a cell to be enumerated. A chromosome enumeration probetypically recognizes and binds to a region near to (referred to as“peri-centromeric”) or at the centromere of a specific chromosome,typically a repetitive DNA sequence (e.g., alpha satellite DNA). Thecentromere of a chromosome is typically considered to represent thatchromosome, since the centromere is required for faithful segregationduring cell division. Deletion or amplification of a particularchromosomal region can be differentiated from loss or gain of the wholechromosome (aneusomy), within which it normally resides, by comparingthe number of signals corresponding to the particular locus (copynumber) to the number of signals corresponding to the centromere. Onemethod for making this comparison is to divide the number of signalsrepresenting the locus by the number of signals representing thecentromere. Ratios of less than one indicate relative loss or deletionof the locus, and ratios greater than one indicate relative gain oramplification of the locus. Similarly, comparison can be made betweentwo different loci on the same chromosome, for example on two differentarms of the chromosome, to indicate imbalanced gains or losses withinthe chromosome. In lieu of a centromeric probe for a chromosome, one ofskill in the art will recognize that a chromosomal arm probe mayalternately be used to approximate whole chromosomal loss or gain.However, such probes are not as accurate at enumerating chromosomes,since the loss of signals for such probes may not always indicate a lossof the entire chromosome. Examples of chromosome enumeration probesinclude CEP® probes commercially available from Abbott Molecular, Inc.,Des Plaines, Ill. (formerly Vysis, Inc., Downers Grove, Ill.). Specificexamples of chromosome enumeration probes or centromeric probes includeprobes for chromosome 1, chromosome 2, chromosome 3, chromosome 4,chromosome 5, chromosome 6, chromosome 7, chromosome 8, chromosome 9,chromosome 10, chromosome 11, chromosome 12, chromosome 13, chromosome14, chromosome 15, chromosome 16, chromosome 17, chromosome 18,chromosome 19, chromosome 20, chromosome 21, chromosome X, andchromosome Y. Specific examples of CEP® probes include CEP1, CEP2, CEP3,CEP4, CEP5, CEP6, CEP7, CEP8, CEP9, CEP10, CEP11, CEP12, CEP13, CEP14,CEP15, CEP16, CEP17, CEP18, CEP19, CEP20, CEP21, CEPX and CEPY.

“C-MYC” and “MYC” may be used interchangeably herein to refer to thec-myc oncogene. The Entrez Gene and Ensembl cytogenetic bands are8q24.21, whereas the HGNC cytogenetic band is 8q24. Aliases includevHLHe39, c-Myc, v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog,Class E basic helix-loop-helix protein 39, proto-oncogene c-Myc,transcription factor p64, MRTL, avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogenehomolog, myc proto-oncogene protein, myc-relatedtranslation/localization regulatory factor, and BHLHE39. MYC also may beused herein to refer to a probe or a set of probes that can be used todetermine a chromosomal abnormality involving MYC, such as MYC copynumber gain. A probe for detecting a parameter involving MYC, such asthe copy number of MYC, a copy number ratio involving MYC, or thepercentage gain of MYC, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the q24 region of chromosome 8 (8q24), whichcomprises the MYC gene. DNA reference sequences include, but are notlimited to, NC_000008.10 and NT_008046.16.

“Copy number” may be used herein to refer to a measurement of DNA,whether of a single locus, one or more loci, or an entire genome. A“copy number” of two is “wild-type” in a human (because of diploidy,except for sex chromosomes). A “copy number” of other than two in ahuman (except for sex chromosomes) deviates from wild-type. Suchdeviations include amplifications, i.e., increases in copy numbers, anddeletions, i.e., decreases in copy numbers and even the absence of copynumbers.

“ERG” may be used herein to refer to the V-Ets avian erythroblastosisvirus E26 oncogene homolog gene. The Entrez Gene and HGNC cytogeneticbands are 21q22.3, whereas the Ensembl genetic band is 21q22.2. Aliasesinclude V-Ets avian erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene related,transcriptional regulator ERG (transforming protein ERG), V-Etserythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene like, TMPRSS2-ERG prostate cancerspecific, erg-3, ets-related, p55, TMPRSS2/ERG fusion, transcriptionalregulator ERG, V-Ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog, andtransforming protein ERG. “ERG” also may be used herein to refer to aprobe or a set of probes used to determine a chromosomal abnormalityinvolving ERG. A probe for detecting a parameter involving ERG by insitu hybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes to the q22region of chromosome 21 (21q22), which comprises the ERG gene. ReferenceDNA sequences include NC_000021.8, NC_018932.2, and NT_011512.11.

“ETV1” may be used herein to refer to the Ets variant 1 gene. The EntrezGene cytogenetic band is 7p21.3, whereas the Ensembl cytogenetic band is7p21.2 and the HGNC cytogenetic band is 7p22. Aliases include Etsvariant gene 1, Ets-related protein 81, ER81, and ETS translocationvariant 1. “ETV1” also may be used herein to refer to a probe or a setof probes used to determine a chromosomal abnormality involving ETV1. Aprobe for detecting a parameter involving ETV1 by in situ hybridization,such as FISH, preferably hybridizes to the p21-22 region of chromosome 7(7p21-22), which comprises the ETV1 gene. Reference DNA sequencesinclude NC_000007.13, NT_007819.17, NC_018918.2, and NT_079592.2.

“FGFR1” may be used herein to refer to the fibroblast growth factorreceptor 1 gene. The Entrez Gene and HGNC cytogenetic bands are 8p12,whereas the Ensembl cytogenetic band is 8p11.22. Aliases include FLT2,KAL2, Fms-related tyrosine kinase 2, basic fibroblast growth factorreceptor 1, Fms-like tyrosine kinase 2, proto-oncogene C-Fgr, BFGFR,CEK, FGFBR, FGFR-1, FLG, FLT-2, HBGFR, bFGF-R-1, EC 2.7.10, EC 2.7.10.1,OGD, Pfeiffer syndrome, CD331, CD331 antigen, HH2, N-SAM, FGFR1/PLAG1fusion, heparin-binding growth factor receptor, hydroxyaryl-proteinkinase, N-SAM, N-sam, FGFR1/PLAG1 fusion, heparin-binding growth factorreceptor, and hydroxyaryl-protein kinase. “FGFR1” also may be usedherein to refer to a probe or a set of probes used to determine achromosomal abnormality involving FGFR1. A probe for detecting aparameter involving FGFR1 by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the p11-12 regions of chromosome 8 (8p11-12),which comprises the FGFR1 gene. Reference DNA sequences includeNC_000008.10, NT_167187.1, and NC_018919.2.

“Homozygous loss,” “loss of heterozygosity,” and “LOH” may be usedinterchangeably herein to refer to a loss or inactivation of both copiesof an entire gene and surrounding chromosomal region.

“Labeled,” “labeled with a detectable label,” and “detectably labeled”may be used interchangeably herein to indicate that an entity (e.g., aprobe) can be detected. “Label” and “detectable label” may be usedherein to refer to a moiety attached to an entity to render the entitydetectable, such as a moiety attached to a probe to render the probedetectable upon binding to a target sequence. The moiety, itself, maynot be detectable but may become detectable upon reaction with yetanother moiety. Use of the term “detectably labeled” is intended toencompass such labeling. The detectable label can be selected such thatthe label generates a signal, which can be measured and the intensity ofwhich is proportional to the amount of bound entity. A wide variety ofsystems for labeling and/or detecting molecules, such as nucleic acids,e.g., probes, are well-known. Labeled nucleic acids can be prepared byincorporating or conjugating a label that is directly or indirectlydetectable by spectroscopic, photochemical, biochemical, immunochemical,electrical, optical, chemical or other means. Suitable detectable labelsinclude radioisotopes, fluorophores, chromophores, chemiluminescentagents, microparticles, enzymes, magnetic particles, electron denseparticles, mass labels, spin labels, haptens, and the like. Fluorophoresand chemiluminescent agents are preferred herein.

“Locus-specific probe” and “locus-specific identifier (LSI)” may be usedinterchangeably herein to refer to a probe that selectively binds to aspecific locus in a region on a chromosome, e.g., a locus that has beendetermined to undergo gain/loss in metastasis. A probe can target codingor non-coding regions, or both, including exons, introns, and/orregulatory sequences, such as promoter sequences and the like.

“MDM2” may be used herein to refer to the MDM2 oncogene E3 ubiquitinprotein ligase gene. The Entrez Gene cytogenetic band is 12q14.3-q15,whereas the Ensembl cytogenetic band is 12q15 and the HGNC cytogeneticband is 12q13-q14. Aliases include oncoprotein MDM2, MDM2 P53 bindingprotein homolog (mouse), MDM2 P53 E3 ubiquitin protein ligase homolog(mouse), MDM2 transformed 3T3 cell double minute 2 p53 binding protein(mouse), human homolog of mouse double minute 2 P53-binding protein,ACTFS, HDMX, human homolog of double minute 2 P53-binding protein, E3ubiquitin-protein ligase MDM2, hdm2, MDM2 P53 E3 ubiquitin proteinligase homolog, MDM2 transformed 3T3 cell double minus 2 p53 bindingprotein, EC 6.3.2, Hdm2, double minute 2 protein, and P53 bindingprotein MDM2. “MDM2” also may be used herein to refer to a probe or aset of probes used to determine a chromosomal abnormality involvingMDM2. A probe for detecting a parameter involving MDM2 by in situhybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes to the q13-15 regionsof chromosome 12 (12q13-15), which comprises the FGFR1 gene. ReferenceDNA sequences include NC_000012.11, NT_029419.12, and NC_018923.2.

“MYCN” may be used herein to refer to the V-Myc avian myelocytomatosisviral oncogene neuroblastoma derived homolog gene. The Entrez Gene,Ensembl, and HGNC cytogenetic bands are 2p24.3. Aliases include NMYC,class E basic helix-loop-helix protein 37, bHLHe37, MODED, ODED, MYCNOT,N-myc, N-Myc proto-oncogene protein, neuroblastoma MYC oncogene,neuroblastoma-derived V-Myc avian myelocytomatosis viral relatedoncogene, oncogene NMYC, pp65/67, V-Myc avian myelocytomatosis viralrelated oncogene neuroblastoma derived, V-Myc myelocytomatosis viralrelated oncogene neuroblastoma derived, and BHLHE37. “MYCN” also may beused herein to refer to a probe or a set of probes used to determine achromosomal abnormality involving MDM2. A probe for detecting aparameter involving MDM2 by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the p24 region of chromosome 2 (2p24), whichcomprises the MYCN gene. Reference DNA sequences include NC_000002.11,NC_018913.2, and NT_005334.16.

“NKX3.1” may be used herein to refer to the NK3 homeobox 1 gene. TheEntrez Gene, Ensembl, and HGNC cytogenetic bands are 8p21.2. Aliasesinclude NKX3-1, NKX3A, homeobox protein NK-3 homolog A, BAPX2, NKhomeobox (Drosophila) family 3 A, NK3 transcription factor related locus1 (Drosophila), NKX3, homeobox protein Nkx-3.1, NK homeobox family 3 A,NK3 transcription factor homolog A, and NK3 transcription factor relatedlocus 1. “NKX3.1” also may be used herein to refer to a probe or a setof probes used to determine a chromosomal abnormality involving NKX3.1.A probe for detecting a parameter involving MDM2 by in situhybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes to the p21 region ofchromosome 8 (8p21), which comprises the NKX3.1 gene. Reference DNAsequences include NC_000008.10, NC_018919.2, and NT_167187.1.

“Nucleic acid sample” may be used herein to refer to a sample comprisingnucleic acid in a form suitable for hybridization with a probe, such asa sample comprising nuclei or nucleic acids isolated or purified fromsuch nuclei. The nucleic acid sample may comprise total or partial(e.g., particular chromosome(s)) genomic DNA, total or partial mRNA(e.g., particular chromosome(s) or gene(s)), or selected sequence(s).Condensed chromosomes (such as are present in interphase or metaphase)are suitable for use as targets in in situ hybridization, such as FISH.

“P27” may be used herein to refer to the cyclin-dependent kinaseinhibitor 1B gene. The Entrez Gene and HGNC cytogenetic bands are12p13.1-p12, whereas the Ensembl cytogenetic band is 12p13.1. Aliasesinclude Kip1, KIP1, CDKN4, MEN4, MEN1B, P27KIP1, cyclin-dependent kinaseinhibitor, and p27Kip1. “P27” also may be used herein to refer to aprobe or a set of probes used to determine a chromosomal abnormalityinvolving P27. A probe for detecting a parameter involving P27 by insitu hybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes to the p13-12region of chromosome 12 (12p13-12), which comprises the P27 gene.Reference DNA sequences include NC_000012.11, NC_018923.2, andNT_009714.17.

“Predetermined cutoff” and “predetermined level” may be used herein torefer generally to a cutoff value that is used to assessdiagnostic/prognostic/therapeutic efficacy results by comparing theassay results against the predetermined cutoff/level, where thepredetermined cutoff/level already has been linked or associated withvarious clinical parameters (e.g., severity of disease,progression/non-progression/improvement, etc.).

“Probe” may be used herein to refer to an oligonucleotide orpolynucleotide that can selectively hybridize to at least a portion of atarget sequence under conditions that allow for or promote selectivehybridization. In general, a probe can be complementary to the coding orsense (+) strand of DNA or complementary to the non-coding or anti-sense(−) strand of DNA (sometimes referred to as “reverse-complementary”).Probes can vary significantly in length. A length of about 10 to about100 nucleotides, such as about 15 to about 75 nucleotides, e.g., about15 to about 50 nucleotides, can be preferred in some applications,whereas a length of about 50-1×10⁵ nucleotides can be preferred forchromosomal probes and a length of about 25,000 to about 800,000nucleotides can be preferred for locus-specific probes. Generallyspeaking, a probe is detectably labeled, such as in accordance withmethods described herein and known in the art.

“Prognosis” may be used herein to refer to a prediction of the probablecourse and/or outcome of a disease, such as the likelihood of recovery.Thus, prognosis encompasses an improvement in disease status, aworsening in disease status, and no change in disease status.

“Progression” may be used herein to refer to recurrence and/or death ofdisease (DOD).

“Prostate cancer” may be used herein to refer to all types of prostatecancer, such as adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, squamous cellcarcinoma, sarcoma, and transitional cell carcinoma. The majority ofprostate cancer (around 95%) is adenocarcinoma. Prostate cancer isdistinguished from prostatic intra-epithelial neoplasia (PIN, which isfurther distinguished as low-grade or high-grade), which is a precursorto prostate cancer. Small cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomatend to be very aggressive in nature and do not lead to an increase inprostate-specific antigen (PSA). Transitional cell carcinoma rarelydevelops in the prostate but derives from primary tumors in the bladderand/or urethra.

“Prostatectomy” may be used herein to refer to removal of part or all ofa prostate, alone or in further combination with other structures. A“simple” or “open” prostatectomy can consist of enucleation of ahyperplastic, prostatic adenoma. A “radical” prostatectomy can refer toremoval en bloc of the entire prostate, the seminal vesicles, and thevas deferens. Such terms may be used interchangeable herein, and the useof one is not intended to exclude the other.

“PTEN” may be used herein to refer to the phosphatase and tensin homologgene. The Entrez Gene cytogenetic band is 10q23.3, whereas the Ensemblcytogenetic band is 10q23.31, and the HGNC cytogenetic band is 10q23.Aliases include phosphatase and tensin-like protein,phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate 3-phosphatase anddual-specificity protein phosphatase, PTEN1, mutated in multipleadvanced cancers 1, MMAC1, MMAC1 phosphatase and tensin homolog deletedon chromosome 10, BZS, MHAM, TEP1, GLM2, 10q23del, CWS1, DEC, EC3.1.3.16, EC 3.1.3.48, and EC 3.1.3.67. “PTEN” also may be used hereinto refer to a probe or a set of probes used to determine a chromosomalabnormality involving PTEN. A probe for detecting a parameter involvingPTEN by in situ hybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes tothe q23 region of chromosome 10 (10q23), which comprises the PTEN gene.Reference DNA sequences include NC_000010.10, NC_018921.2, andNT_030059.13.

“Risk of progression” may be used herein to refer to the risk of aworsening in disease status, recurrence, such as after remission, anddeath of disease (DOD).

“Section” of a tissue sample is a single part or piece of a tissuesample, e.g., a thin slice of tissue or cells cut from a tissue sample.Two or more sections of tissue samples may be taken and analyzed. Ifdesired, a single section can be analyzed at various levels, e.g.,morphological and molecular (e.g., nucleic acid and protein).

“Selectively hybridize to” (as well as “selective hybridization,”“specifically hybridize to,” and “specific hybridization”) may be usedherein to refer to the binding, duplexing, or hybridizing of a nucleicacid molecule preferentially to a particular nucleotide sequence understringent conditions. The term “stringent conditions” may be used hereinto refer to conditions under which a probe will hybridize preferentiallyto its target sequence, and to a lesser extent to, or not at all to,other non-target sequences. A “stringent hybridization” and “stringenthybridization wash conditions” in the context of nucleic acidhybridization (e.g., as in array, Southern hybridization, Northernhybridization, or FISH) are sequence-dependent, and differ underdifferent conditions. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleicacids is found in, e.g., Tijssen, Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistryand Molecular Biology—Hybridization with Nucleic Acid Probes, Part I,Ch. 2, “Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy ofnucleic acid probe assays,” Elsevier, N.Y. (1993) (“Tijssen”).Generally, highly stringent hybridization and wash conditions areselected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m))for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength and pH. The T_(m)is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% ofthe target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. Verystringent conditions are selected to be equal to the T_(m) for aparticular probe. An example of stringent hybridization conditions forhybridization of complementary nucleic acids, which have more than 100complementary residues, on an array or on a filter in a Southern orNorthern blot is 42° C. using standard hybridization solutions (see,e.g., Sambrook and Russell, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rded., Vol. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Press,NY (2001)).

“Target sequence,” “target region,” and “nucleic acid target” may beused herein to refer to a nucleotide sequence that resides at a specificchromosomal location whose loss and/or gain, for example, is beingdetermined.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not otherwise intended to be limiting.

Methods of Distinguishing Patients with Aggressive Vs. IndolentProstatic Adenocarcinoma, Identifying a Patient with AggressiveProstatic Adenocarcinoma, and Identifying a Patient with IndolentProstatic Adenocarcinoma

A method of distinguishing between a patient with aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma and a patient with indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma isprovided. The method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        and a break-apart probe for ERG,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a        break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN, or    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2,    -   (vi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (vii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27,    -   (viii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and a chromosome enumeration        probe for chromosome 8 (CEP8),    -   (ix) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-part probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (x) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (xi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN,    -   (xiii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific        probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific        probe for MDM2,    -   (xiv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and a locus-specific probe        for FGFR1,    -   (xv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for MYC,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xvi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        PTEN,    -   (xvii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27, or    -   (xviii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a chromosome enumeration probe        for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a        break-apart probe for ERG,        under hybridizing conditions,

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (i)-(vi),(viii), (xi), (xiv), (xv), and (xvii) is used to determine % loss ofFGFR1,

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (vii), (ix),and, as an alternative to % loss of FGFR1, (xiv), is used to determine %gain of FGFR1,

wherein CEP8 in the sets of (ix)-(xiv), (xvi), and (xviii) is used todetermine % loss of CEP8,

wherein the locus-specific probe for PTEN in sets (iii) and (viii) isused to determine % homozygous loss of PTEN,

wherein the locus-specific probe for PTEN in set (xvi) is used todetermine % loss of PTEN, and

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 and CEP8 in the sets of(viii), and as an alternative to % gain of FGFR1, (ix), are used todetermine % loss of FGFR1/CEP8 ratio, and

(b) determining the presence of a chromosomal abnormality in the sample,

wherein a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 30,

wherein a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40,

wherein a FGFR1% gain (% gain is % of cells with FGFR copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 46,

wherein a CEP8% loss (% loss is % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 21 to less than or equal to 36,

wherein a CEP8% gain (% gain is % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40,

wherein a FGFR1/CEP8% loss of greater than or equal to 13 to less thanor equal to 72,

wherein a PTEN % homozygous loss (% homozygous loss is % of cells withPTEN copy numbers of zero) of greater than or equal to two to less thanor equal to 40,

wherein a PTEN % loss (% loss is % of cells with PTEN copy number ofless than two) of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to50,

wherein a ERG 2+Edel of greater than or equal to one to less than orequal to 30,

wherein a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYCN copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 30,

wherein a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 20,

wherein a NKX3.1% loss (% loss is % of cells with NKX3.1 copy numbers<2)of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50,

wherein ETV1% translocation/deletion of greater than or equal to 1 toless than or equal to 20,

wherein a P27% loss (% loss is % of cells with P27 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50, or

wherein an AURKA % gain (% gain is % of cells with AURKA copy numbers>2)of greater than or equal to 1 to less than or equal to 20

indicates that the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma, whereas none of the above indicates that thepatient has indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Another method of distinguishing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinomafrom indolent, prostatic carcinoma in a patient or patient population isprovided. The patient can be an individual patient or a member of apatient population, such as a patient population that is being dividedinto groups, such as a group comprising patients having a high risk fordeveloping aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma and a group comprisingpatients with indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma. The method comprises(or consists of) (a) contacting a sample from a patient with a set ofdetectably labeled probes and (b) determining the presence ofchromosomal abnormalities in the sample. The set of detectably labeledprobes can comprise two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine orten probes selected from the group consisting of a locus-specific probefor MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a chromosome enumerationprobe for chromosome 8, a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome10, a locus-specific probe for PTEN, a break-apart probe (or telomeric(ERG Tel) and centromeric (ERG Cen) probes) for ERG, a locus-specificprobe for NKX3.1, a locus-specific probe for MYCN, a locus-specificprobe for MDM2, a locus-specific probe for P27, a break-apart probe forETV1, a locus-specific probe for AURKA, and one or more probes for oneor more genes involved in the same pathway as any of the foregoinggenes. Use of a chromosome enumeration probe along with a locus-specificprobe for a gene present on the same chromosome enables a ratio, such asthe gene/chromosome ratio (e.g., PTEN/CEP10 and/or FGFR1/CEP8) to beassessed, if desired.

The MYC probe can be used to determine MYC % gain (% gain is % of cellswith MYC copy numbers>2), such as a MYC % gain of greater than or equalto two to less than or equal to 30. The FGFR1 probe can be used todetermine FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2),such as FGFR1% loss of greater than or equal to 15 to less than or equalto 40. Additionally or alternatively, the FGFR1 probe can be used todetermine FGFR1% gain (% gain is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers>2),such as FGFR1% gain of greater than or equal to two to less than orequal to 46. The CEP8 probe can be used to determine CEP8% loss (% lossis % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers<2), such as a CEP8% loss of greaterthan or equal to 21 to less than or equal to 36. Additionally oralternatively, the CEP8 probe can be used to determine CEP8% gain (%gain is % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers>2), such as a CEP8% gain ofgreater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40. In this regard,the FGFR1 probe and the CEP8 probe can be used in combination todetermine, for example, FGFR1/CEP8, such as a FGFR1/CEP8% loss ofgreater than or equal to 13 to less than or equal to 72. The PTEN probecan be used to determine PTEN % homozygous loss (% homozygous loss is %of cells with PTEN copy numbers of zero), such as a PTEN % homozygousloss of greater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 40;alternatively, the PTEN probe can be used to determine PTEN % loss (%loss is % of cells with PTEN copy number of less than two), such as PTEN% loss of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50. TheCEP10 probe can be used to determine CEP10% loss (% loss is % of cellswith CEP10 copy numbers<2), such as a CEP10% loss of greater than orequal to 10 to less than or equal to 50. Additionally, or alternatively,the CEP10 probe can be used to determine CEP10% gain (% gain is % ofcells with CEP10 copy numbers>2), such as a CEP10% gain of greater thanor equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40. In this regard, the PTENprobe and the CEP10 probe can be used in combination to determine, forexample PTEN/CEP10, such as a PTEN/CEP10% loss of greater than or equalto 10 to less than or equal to 50. The ERG probes can be used todetermine % 2 E+del of greater than greater than or equal to 1 to lessthan or equal to 30. The MYCN probe can be used to determine MYCN % gain(% gain is % of cells with MYCN copy numbers>2), such as a MYCN % gainof greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to 30. The MDM2probe can be used to determine MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells withMDM2 copy numbers>2), such as MDM2% gain of greater than or equal to twoand less than or equal to 20. The NKX3.1 probe can be used to determineNKX3.1% loss (% loss is % of cells with NKX3.1 copy numbers<2), such asNKX3.1% loss of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50.The ETV1 break-apart probe can be used to determine ETV1% single red (%single red is % of cells with ETV1 translocation or deletion), such asETV1% single red of greater than or equal to one to less than or equalto 20. The P27 probe can be used to determine P27% loss (% loss is % ofcells with P27 copy numbers<2), such as P27% loss of greater than orequal to 10 to less than or equal to 50. The AURKA probe can be used todetermine AURKA % gain (% gain is % of cells with AURKA copy numbers>2),such as AURKA % gain of greater than or equal to 1 to less than or equalto 20.

If a patient has had a prostatectomy, the determination of the presenceof a chromosomal abnormality in the sample indicates that the patienthas a high risk of recurrence or metastasis, in which case the abovemethods can further comprise recommending that the patient consult hisphysician for immediate treatment to inhibit or prevent recurrence ormetastasis. If a patient has/is being initially diagnosed with prostatecancer and the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma, the above methods can further compriserecommending that the patient consult his physician for immediatetreatment. If a patient has/is being initially diagnosed with prostatecancer and the patient has indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma, the abovemethods can further comprise recommending active surveillance (e.g., abiopsy about every six months to a year) or watchful waiting (i.e., noactive intervention).

The methods can further comprise obtaining a clinical parameter, such asa clinical parameter selected from the group consisting of a Gleasonscore, a tumor stage, a level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), anomogram, methylation status, mutation, and age of the patient, any ofwhich can be combined with the determination of the presence ofchromosomal abnormalities for prognosis. The above methods can furthercomprise monitoring a patient identified as having aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma during treatment by repeating (a) and (b) over a courseof treatment. If the patient has already undergone a radicalprostatectomy, the treatment can be an adjuvant treatment.Alternatively, the above methods can further comprise surveilling apatient identified as having indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma byrepeating (a) and (b) periodically. With regard to the above methods,the patient may have already been identified as having aggressive orindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma by another method, such as a methodselected from the group consisting of a histological examination of asample of prostate cells, a method of detecting/screening a sample ofurine for a marker of aggressive or indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma,and a method of detecting/screening a sample of blood for a marker ofaggressive or indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

In view of the above, a method of identifying a patient with a high riskof developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma is also provided. Themethod comprises (or consists of) (a) contacting a sample from thepatient with a set of detectably labeled probes comprising two, three,four, five or six probes selected from the group consisting of MYC,FGFR1, ERG, PTEN, MYCN, and MDM2 under hybridizing conditions and (b)determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample.Examples of combinations of probes include, but are not limited to, (i)MYC and FGFR1, (ii) MYC, FGFR1, and ERG, (iii) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, andPTEN, (iv) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, and MYCN, and (v) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, and MDM2.When a combination of probes consisting of MYC and FGFR1 is used, a MYC% gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than orequal to 26 and/or a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26 indicates that the patient hasa high risk of developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. When acombination of probes comprising (or consisting of) MYC, FGFR1, and ERGis used, a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 14, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, and/or an ERG %2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10 indicates that the patient has ahigh risk of developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. When acombination of probes comprising (or consisting of) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, andPTEN is used, a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to eight, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, anERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10, and/or a PTEN % homozygousloss of greater than or equal to 20 indicates that the patient has ahigh risk of developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. When acombination of probes comprising (or consisting of) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, andMYCN is used, a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % ofcells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 20, an ERG% 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10, and/or a MYCN % gain (% gain is% of cells with MYCN copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 20indicates that the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive,prostate adenocarcinoma. When a combination of probes comprising (orconsisting of) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, and MDM2 is used, a MYC % gain (% gainis % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, aFGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greaterthan or equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10,and/or a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 10 indicates that the patient has a high riskof developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. The probe set of (i)can further consist of, or any of the probe sets of (ii)-(v) can furthercomprise, one or more of a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome8, a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10, a locus-specificprobe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a locus-specificprobe for P27, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and one or more probes forone or more genes involved in the same pathway as any of the foregoinggenes. Use of a chromosome enumeration probe along with a locus-specificprobe for a gene present on the same chromosome enables a ratio, such asthe gene/chromosome ratio (e.g., PTEN/CEP10 and/or FGFR1/CEP8) to beassessed, if desired.

The method can further comprise obtaining a clinical parameter, such asa clinical parameter selected from the group consisting of a Gleasonscore, a tumor stage, a level of PSA, a nomogram, methylation status,mutation, and age of the patient, any of which can be combined with thedetermination of the presence of chromosomal abnormalities forprognosis. The above method can further comprise monitoring a patientidentified as having aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma duringtreatment by repeating (a) and (b) over a course of treatment. If thepatient has already undergone a radical prostatectomy, the treatment canbe an adjuvant treatment. With regard to the above methods, the patientmay have already been identified as having aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma by another method, such as a method selected from thegroup consisting of a histological examination of a sample of prostatecells, a method of detecting/screening a sample of urine for a marker ofaggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, and a method ofdetecting/screening a sample of blood for a marker of aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma.

A method of identifying a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma is also provided. The method comprises (or consists of)(a) contacting a sample from the patient with a set of detectablylabeled probes comprising two, three, four, five or six probes selectedfrom the group consisting of a locus-specific probe for MYC, alocus-specific probe for FGFR1, a break-apart probe for ERG, alocus-specific probe for PTEN, a locus-specific probe for MYCN, and alocus-specific probe for MDM2 under hybridizing conditions and (b)determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample.Examples of combinations of probes include, but are not limited to, (i)MYC and FGFR1, (ii) MYC, FGFR1, and ERG, (iii) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, andPTEN, (iv) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, and MYCN, and (v) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, and MDM2.When a combination of probes consisting of MYC and FGFR1 is used, a MYC% gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than orequal to two and/or a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10 indicates that the patient hasa high risk of developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. When acombination of probes comprising (or consisting of) MYC, FGFR1, and ERGis used, a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10, and/or an ERG %2+Edel of greater than or equal to two indicates that the patient has ahigh risk of developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. When acombination of probes comprising (or consisting of) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, andPTEN is used, a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10, anERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10, and/or a PTEN % homozygousloss of greater than or equal to 20 indicates that the patient has ahigh risk of developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. When acombination of probes comprising (or consisting of) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, andMYCN is used, a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 18, anERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to two, and/or a MYCN % gain (%gain is % of cells with MYCN copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to20 indicates that the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive,prostate adenocarcinoma. When a combination of probes comprising (orconsisting of) MYC, FGFR1, ERG, and MDM2 is used, a MYC % gain (% gainis % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, aFGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greaterthan or equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to two,and/or a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to three indicates that the patient has a highrisk of developing aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma, and none of theforegoing indicates that the patient has indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma. The probe set of (i) can further consist of, or any ofthe probe sets of (ii)-(v) can further comprise, a chromosomeenumeration probe for chromosome 8, a chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 10, a locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probefor NKX3.1, a locus-specific probe for P27, a locus-specific probe forMDM2, a locus-specific probe for MYCN, a break-apart probe for ETV1,and/or one or more probes for one or more genes involved in the samepathway as any of the foregoing genes. Use of a chromosome enumerationprobe along with a locus-specific probe for a gene present on the samechromosome enables a ratio, such as the gene/chromosome ratio (e.g.,PTEN/CEP10 and/or FGFR1/CEP8) to be assessed, if desired.

The method can further comprise obtaining a clinical parameter, such asa clinical parameter selected from the group consisting of a Gleasonscore, a tumor stage, a level of PSA, a nomogram, methylation status,mutation, and age of the patient, any of which can be combined with thedetermination of the presence of chromosomal abnormalities forprognosis. The above method can further comprise monitoring a patientidentified as having aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma duringtreatment by repeating (a) and (b) over a course of treatment.Alternatively, the above methods can further comprise surveilling apatient identified as having indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma byrepeating (a) and (b) periodically. With regard to the above methods,the patient may have already been identified as having aggressive orindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma by another method, such as a methodselected from the group consisting of a histological examination of asample of prostate cells, a method of detecting/screening a sample ofurine for a marker of aggressive or indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma,and a method of detecting/screening a sample of blood for a marker ofaggressive or indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

The sample can be any suitable sample. Examples of suitable samplesinclude, but are not limited to, histological specimens, sections ofwhich can be mounted on slides. The specimen can be from a radicalprostatectomy, a biopsy (e.g., needle biopsy), a transurethral resectionof the prostate (TURP), and the like. The section can be formalin-fixedand paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and placed on a microscope slide.Alternatively, a section preserved by other means, such as freezing, canbe used, or a cytology specimen, such as a blood sample, or a urinesample can be used.

If the patient just had a radical prostatectomy, in addition to usingthe removed prostate as a source of a sample of prostate cells, whichcan be used fresh or embedded in paraffin and fixed with formalin,another sample, such as blood or urine, can be used. If analysis of thesample in accordance with a method described herein reveals the presenceof at least one chromosomal abnormality indicative of a high risk foraggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, e.g., recurrence, metastasis, andpossibly even death from disease, it can be beneficial for the patientto receive immediate treatment to prevent, or inhibit, the progressionof the disease, such as by adjuvant therapy.

If the patient is receiving, or has received, an initial diagnosis ofprostate cancer, a sample, such as a sample obtained from a biopsy ofthe prostate, blood, or urine, can be used. If analysis of the sample inaccordance with a method described herein reveals the presence of atleast one chromosomal abnormality indicative of a high risk foraggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, it can be beneficial for thepatient to receive immediately a radical prostatectomy, alone or infurther combination with one or more other treatments. Alternatively, ifanalysis of the sample in accordance with a method described hereinreveals no chromosomal abnormality, it can be beneficial for the patientto be monitored or undergo active surveillance.

With regard to all of the above methods, the nature/size of the probewill depend, at least in part, on the method used to determine aparticular parameter, e.g., copy number, copy number ratio, orpercentage gain of a gene of interest. When an abovediagnostic/prognostic method is carried out by in situ hybridization,such as FISH, for example, the probe can be relatively large. When anabove diagnostic/prognostic method is carried by another method, theprobe can be smaller, even substantially smaller, than the probe usedfor in situ hybridization, such as FISH, in which case the probepreferably hybridizes to a sequence within the gene of interest.

In view of the above, a probe for detecting a parameter involving MYC,for example, such as the copy number of MYC (e.g., gain), a copy numberratio involving MYC (e.g., MYC/CEP8 gain), or the percentage gain ofMYC, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes tothe q24 region of chromosome 8 (8q24), which comprises the MYC gene. Theprobe also can hybridize to an adjacent region located on thecentromeric side of 8q24, an adjacent region located on the telomericside of 8q24, or both. A preferred probe covers approximately 820 kb,such as 821 kb, of 8q24 and is centered on the MYC gene. A probe fordetecting a parameter involving MYC by another method can be smaller,even substantially smaller, than the probe used for in situhybridization, such as FISH, in which case the probe preferablyhybridizes to a sequence within the MYC gene (sequence information isavailable online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“MYC” is used herein to refer to any and all probes that can be used todetermine a parameter involving MYC, whether copy number, copy numberratio, percentage gain, and the like, irrespective of the particularmethod used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving FGFR1, for example, such asthe copy number of FGFR1 (e.g., loss or gain), a copy number ratioinvolving FGFR1 (e.g., FGFR1/CEP8 loss or FGFR1/CEP8 gain), or thepercentage loss or gain of FGFR1, by in situ hybridization, such asFISH, preferably hybridizes to the p11-12 regions of chromosome 8(8p11-12), which comprises the FGFR1 gene. The probe also can hybridizeto an adjacent region located on the centromeric side of 8p11-12, anadjacent region located on the telomeric side of 8p11-12, or both. Apreferred probe covers approximately 530 kb, such as 531 kb, of 8p12 andis centered on the FGFR1 gene. A probe for detecting a parameterinvolving FGFR1 by another method can be smaller, even substantiallysmaller, than the probe used for in situ hybridization, such as FISH, inwhich case the probe preferably hybridizes to a sequence within theFGFR1 gene (sequence information is available online from sources suchas GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards®(www.genecards.org)). “FGFR1” may be used herein to refer to any and allprobes that can be used to determine a parameter involving FGFR1,whether copy number, copy number ratio, percentage gain, and the like,irrespective of the particular method used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving PTEN, for example, such asthe copy number of PTEN (e.g., PTEN loss or PTEN homozygous loss), acopy number ratio involving PTEN (e.g., PTEN/CEP10 loss), or thepercentage loss of PTEN, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the q23 region of chromosome 10 (10q23.31),which comprises part of the PTEN gene and an adjacent region located onthe telomeric side of 10q23. A preferred PTEN probe covers approximately340-350 kb, such as 344 kb, of 10q23.31. Adjacent regions of the PTENgene probe include STS markers D105215 on the centromeric side andSHGC-77962 on the telomeric side. A probe for detecting a parameterinvolving PTEN by another method can be smaller, even substantiallysmaller, than the probe used for in situ hybridization, such as FISH, inwhich case the probe preferably hybridizes to a sequence within the PTENgene or an adjacent region of the PTEN gene (sequence information isavailable online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“PTEN” may be used herein to refer to any and all probes that can beused to determine a parameter involving PTEN, whether copy number, copynumber ratio, percentage homozygosity, and the like, irrespective of theparticular method used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving ERG, for example, such as arearrangement, alone or in further combination with interstitialchromosomal deletions 5′ to the ERG gene, e.g., percentage 2+Edel, by insitu hybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes to the q22region of chromosome 21 (21q22), which comprises the ERG gene. Apreferred ERG probe is a break-apart probe, i.e., a pair of probes, oneof which is telomeric and the other of which is centromeric to the ERGgene, and detects rearrangements involving the ERG gene and adjacentchromosomal deletions. A probe for detecting a parameter involving ERGby another method can be smaller, even substantially smaller, than theprobe used for in situ hybridization, such as FISH, in which case theprobe preferably hybridizes to a sequence within the ERG gene (sequenceinformation is available online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“ERG” may be used herein to refer to any and all probes that can be usedto determine a parameter involving ERG, whether a rearrangement, e.g.,2+Edel, and the like, irrespective of the particular method used todetermine the parameter.

A chromosome enumeration probe for detecting a parameter involvingchromosome 8, such as the copy number of chromosome 8 (e.g., gain orloss) or a copy number ratio involving a gene (i.e., a gene onchromosome 8) and chromosome 8 (e.g., FGFR1/CEP8 gain or FGFR1/CEP8loss), by in situ hybridization, such as FISH, preferably hybridizes tothe α-satellite DNA in the region of 8p11.1-q11.1 at the centromere ofchromosome 8. Alternatively, the chromosome enumeration probe canhybridize to an arm of chromosome 8, provided that the probe accuratelyrepresents the status of chromosome 8 with regard to copy number gain orcopy number loss.

A chromosome enumeration probe for detecting a parameter involvingchromosome 10, such as the copy number of chromosome 10 (e.g., loss) ora copy number ratio involving a gene (i.e., a gene on chromosome 10) andchromosome 10 (e.g., PTEN/CEP10 loss), by in situ hybridization, such asFISH, preferably hybridizes to the α-satellite DNA in the region of10p11.1-q11.1 at the centromere of chromosome 10. Alternatively, thechromosome enumeration probe can hybridize to an arm of chromosome 10,provided that the probe accurately represents the status of chromosome10 with regard to copy number gain or copy number loss.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving AURKA, such as the copynumber of AURKA (e.g., AURKA gain), a copy number ratio involving AURKA,or the percentage gain of AURKA, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the q13 region of chromosome 20 (20q13), whichcomprises the AURKA gene. The probe also can hybridize to an adjacentregion located on the centromeric side of 20q13, an adjacent regionlocated on the telomeric side of 20q13, or both. A preferred probecovers approximately 638 kb-858 kb, such as 648 kb, of 20q13 and iscentered on the AURKA gene. A probe for detecting a parameter involvingAURKA by another method can be smaller, even substantially smaller, thanthe probe used for in situ hybridization, such as FISH, in which casethe probe preferably hybridizes to a sequence within the AURKA gene(sequence information is available online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“AURKA” is used herein to refer to any and all probes that can be usedto determine a parameter involving AURKA, whether copy number, copynumber ratio, percentage gain, and the like, irrespective of theparticular method used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving NKX3.1, such as the copynumber of NKX3.1 (e.g., NKX3.1 loss), a copy number ratio involvingNKX3.1, or the percentage loss of NKX3.1, by in situ hybridization, suchas FISH, preferably hybridizes to the p21 region of chromosome 8 (8p21),which comprises the NKX3.1 gene. The probe also can hybridize to anadjacent region located on the centromeric side of 8p21, an adjacentregion located on the telomeric side of 8p21, or both. A preferred probecovers approximately 518-538 kb, such as 528 kb, of 8p21 and is centeredon the NKX3.1 gene. A probe for detecting a parameter involving NKX3.1by another method can be smaller, even substantially smaller, than theprobe used for in situ hybridization, such as FISH, in which case theprobe preferably hybridizes to a sequence within the NKX3.1 gene(sequence information is available online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“NKX3.1” is used herein to refer to any and all probes that can be usedto determine a parameter involving NKX3.1, whether copy number, copynumber ratio, percentage gain, and the like, irrespective of theparticular method used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving P27, such as the copy numberof P27 (e.g., P27 loss), a copy number ratio involving P27, or thepercentage loss of P27, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the p13-12 region of chromosome 12 (12p13-12),which comprises the P27 gene. The probe also can hybridize to anadjacent region located on the centromeric side of 12p13-12, an adjacentregion located on the telomeric side of 12p13-12, or both. A preferredprobe covers approximately 382-412 kb, such as 392 kb, of 12p13-12 andis centered on the P27 gene. A probe for detecting a parameter involvingP27 by another method can be smaller, even substantially smaller, thanthe probe used for in situ hybridization, such as FISH, in which casethe probe preferably hybridizes to a sequence within the P27 gene(sequence information is available online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“P27” is used herein to refer to any and all probes that can be used todetermine a parameter involving P27, whether copy number, copy numberratio, percentage gain, and the like, irrespective of the particularmethod used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving MDM2, such as the copynumber of MDM2 (e.g., MDM2 gain), a copy number ratio involving MDM2, orthe percentage gain of MDM2, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the q15 region of chromosome 12 (12q15), whichcomprises the MDM2 gene. The probe also can hybridize to an adjacentregion located on the centromeric side of 12q15, an adjacent regionlocated on the telomeric side of 12q15, or both. A preferred probecovers approximately 210 kb, such as 209 kb, of 12q15 and is centered onthe MDM2 gene. A probe for detecting a parameter involving MDM2 byanother method can be smaller, even substantially smaller, than theprobe used for in situ hybridization, such as FISH, in which case theprobe preferably hybridizes to a sequence within the MDM2 gene (sequenceinformation is available online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“MDM2” is used herein to refer to any and all probes that can be used todetermine a parameter involving MDM2, whether copy number, copy numberratio, percentage gain, and the like, irrespective of the particularmethod used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving MYCN, such as the copynumber of MYCN (e.g., MYCN gain), a copy number ratio involving MYCN, orthe percentage gain of MYCN, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH,preferably hybridizes to the p24 region of chromosome 2 (2p24), whichcomprises the MYCN gene. The probe also can hybridize to an adjacentregion located on the centromeric side of 2p24, an adjacent regionlocated on the telomeric side of 2p24, or both. A preferred probe coversapproximately 195-205 kb, such as 200 kb, of 2p24 and is centered on theMYCN gene. A probe for detecting a parameter involving MYCN by anothermethod can be smaller, even substantially smaller, than the probe usedfor in situ hybridization, such as FISH, in which case the probepreferably hybridizes to a sequence within the MYCN gene (sequenceinformation is available online from sources such as GenBank(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) and GeneCards® (www.genecards.org)).“MYCN” is used herein to refer to any and all probes that can be used todetermine a parameter involving MYCN, whether copy number, copy numberratio, percentage gain, and the like, irrespective of the particularmethod used to determine the parameter.

A probe for detecting a parameter involving ETV1, for example, such as arearrangement, by in situ hybridization, such as FISH, preferablyhybridizes to the p21 region of chromosome 7 (7p21), which comprises theETV1 gene. A preferred ETV1 probe is a break-apart probe, i.e., a pairof probes, one of which is telomeric and the other of which iscentromeric to the ETV1 gene, and detects rearrangements involving theETV1 gene and adjacent chromosome deletions. A probe for detecting aparameter involving ETV1 by another method can be smaller, evensubstantially smaller, than the probe used for in situ hybridization,such as FISH, in which case the probe preferably hybridizes to asequence within the ETV1 gene (sequence information is available onlinefrom sources such as GenBank (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank) andGeneCards® (www.genecards.org)). “ETV1” may be used herein to refer toany and all probes that can be used to determine a parameter involvingETV1, whether a rearrangement and the like, irrespective of theparticular method used to determine the parameter.

The usage of probes as explained above applies to methods, probes andkits discussed herein. Descriptions of probes as set forth in thebeginning of the “Detailed Description” also applies to methods, probes,and kits discussed herein.

The above method can be carried out using any suitable detection methodknown in the art. Preferably, the above method is carried out using insitu hybridization, such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH).Preferably, each probe is detectably labeled with a distinct label, suchas a distinct fluorophore. Alternatively, radiolabeled nucleotidedetection (in situ hybridization (ISH)), chromomeric hybridizationdetection, and the like, as described herein, can be used.

When the above methods are carried out by in situ hybridization, inwhich each probe is detectably labeled with a distinct label, such as byFISH, in which each probe is labeled with a distinct fluorophore, themethods can be carried out on a sample of prostate cells, which arefresh, such as fresh cells from a biopsy of the prostate (fresh cellscan be cultured for 1-3 days and a blocker, such as Colcemid, can beadded to the culture to block the cells in metaphase, during whichchromosomes are highly condensed and can be visualized), frozen, orfixed (e.g., fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin), treated (e.g.,with RNase and pepsin) to increase accessibility of target nucleic acid(e.g., DNA) and reduce non-specific binding, and then subjected tohybridization with one or more probes, washing to remove any unboundprobes, and detection of hybridized probes. For example, a cellsuspension can be applied as a single layer onto a slide, and the celldensity can be measured by a light or phase contrast microscope. Cellsalso can be obtained from other sources, such as bodily fluids, e.g.,urine or semen, preserved in fixatives, such as methanol-acetic acid(Carnoy's reagent), and applied to a slide or similar support formicroscopic examination and analysis.

FFPE histological specimens slides (sections) can be baked at about56-60° C. for around 2-24 hrs, then pretreated two to three times inHemo-De (Scientific Safety Solvents) or Xyline for about 5-10 minuteseach at room temperature, rinsed twice in 100% ethanol for about oneminute each at room temperature. Slides then can be incubated inpre-treatment solution (1×SSC, pH 7.0) at around 75-85° C. for about35-50 minutes, rinsed for about three minutes in deionized water,incubated for about 17-27 minutes in 0.15% pepsin in 0.1N HCl solutionat around 37° C., and rinsed again for about three minutes in deionizedwater. Slides can be dehydrated for one minute each in 70%, 85%, and100% ethanol and then air dried. Ten microliters of a probehybridization mix (LSI® buffer, blocking DNA, labeled probes) can beadded to separate specimen slides, and coverslips can be applied andsealed with rubber cement. Slides can be co-denatured for about fiveminutes at around 71-75° C. and hybridized for about 4-24 hours ataround 37° C. on a ThermoBrite (Abbott Molecular, Inc., Des Plaines,Ill.). Following hybridization, the rubber cement can be peeled off, andcoverslips can be removed by soaking in 1×SSC, pH 7.0, for about 3-5minutes. Then the slides can be placed in a wash solution of 2×SSC/0.3%NP-40 preheated at around 73° C. for about 2-5 minutes. Then the slidescan be put in 1×SSC, pH 7.0, for about one minute as a final rinse. Thenthe supports carrying the samples can be either counterstained with anuclear DNA-binding stain, such as 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)either in solution, or upon drying the sample in the dark. In the lattercase, the samples are counterstained with about 10 μL DAPI, and newcoverslips are placed over the samples. The samples can then be viewedor stored, e.g., at about −20° C.

Prior to detection, cell samples may be optionally pre-selected based onapparent cytologic abnormalities. Pre-selection identifies suspiciouscells, thereby allowing the screening to be focused on those cells.Pre-selection allows for faster screening and increases the likelihoodthat a positive result will not be missed.

An area evidencing some level of dysplasia or a suspicious lesion can belocalized using the DAPI filter at low magnification and thoroughlyinspected for the presence of nuclei harboring abnormal copy numbers ofany probe. In a normal cell, two copies of a given probe will bedetected. In an abnormal cell, more or less copies of a given probe willbe detected. Areas with the most significant copy number changes arepreferably selected for enumeration. Wherever possible, about 3-10abnormal areas are selected and, within each abnormal area, 10 randomnuclei are analyzed under high power (64× or 100× objective).Preferably, nuclei are non-overlapping and harbor sufficiently brightsignals.

Alternatively, cells for detection may be chosen independent ofcytologic or histologic features. For example, all non-overlapping cellsin a given area or areas on a microscope slide may be assessed forchromosomal losses and/or gains. As a further example, cells on theslide, e.g., cells that show altered morphology, on the order of atleast about 50, and more preferably at least about 100, in number thatappear in consecutive order on a microscope slide may be chosen forassessing chromosomal losses and/or gains.

Thus, such methods comprise contacting a sample obtained from a patient,e.g., a sample of prostate cells, blood urine, or nucleic acids, with aset of detectably labeled probes as described above under hybridizingconditions. Hybridizing conditions allow (or promote) the probes to bindselectively with their target nucleic acid sequences and form stablehybridization complexes. Such methods further comprise detecting theformation of the hybridization complexes and counting the number ofhybridization complexes. In view of the number of hybridizationcomplexes the method further comprises determining the number of copiesof one or more chromosomal abnormalities. A copy number of a chromosomalabnormality can be compared to a pre-determined cut-off, such as acut-off within a range provided herein or a specific cut-off providedherein, wherein a copy number greater than the pre-determined cut-off(i.e., for a gain) or a copy number less than the pre-determined cut-off(i.e., for a loss), as appropriate, indicates that a patient does ordoes not have aggressive/indolent prostate cancer as described herein.

While deparaffinization, pretreatment, staining, and routine slidewashing also can be conducted in accordance with methods known in theart, use of an automated system, however, such as the VP 2000 Process(Abbott Molecular, Inc., Des Plaines, Ill.), decreases the amount oftime needed to prepare slides for evaluation. Slides can be prepared inlarge batches (e.g., 50 slides), as opposed to small batches (e.g., 4slides) when standard Coplin jars are used for post-hybridizationwashing. In addition, the scoring of slides can be fully automated usingautomated imaging, thereby reducing the amount of hands-on time requiredfor specimen analysis. Full automation also enables signal enumerationand subsequent data analysis using an imaging algorithm that capturesmore abnormal cells more frequently and consistently.

Other methods already known in the art or currently under developmentmay require or prefer the use of a sample of prostate cells that isother than cells fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin, e.g., freshor frozen cells, homogenized cells, lysed cells, or isolated or purifiednucleic acids (e.g., a “nucleic acid sample” such as DNA) from prostatecells (“sample of prostate cells” as used herein is intended toencompass all forms of a sample of prostate cells that enable thedetermination of copy number and gain/loss). Nuclei also can beextracted from thick sections of paraffin-embedded specimens to reducetruncation artifacts and eliminate extraneous embedded material.Typically, biological samples, once obtained, are harvested andprocessed prior to hybridization using standard methods known in theart. Such processing typically includes protease treatment andadditional fixation in an aldehyde solution, such as formaldehyde.

Examples of methods that can be used herein include, but are not limitedto, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), real-time Q-PCR(Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.), densitometric scanning of PCRproducts, digital PCR, optionally with pre-amplification of the gene(s)and/or chromosomal region(s) for which copy number(s) is/are to bedetermined (see, e.g., Vogelstein et al., PNAS USA 96: 9236-9241 (1999);U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2005/0252773; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2009/0069194), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH; see, e.g.,Kallioniemi et al., Science 258: 818-821 (1992); and Int'l Pat. App.Pub. No. WO 93/18186), microsatellite or Southern allelotype analysis,dot blots, arrays, microarrays (Carter, Nature Genetics Supplement 39:S16-S21 (July 2007)), multiplex amplifiable probe hybridization (MAPH),multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA; see, e.g.,Schouten et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 30: e 57 (2002)), denaturing highperformance liquid chromatography (dHPLC; Kumar et al., J. Biochem.Biophys. Methods 64(3): 226-234 (2005)), dynamic allele-specifichybridization (DASH), measuring fluorescent probe lengths on combedgenomic DNA (Herrick et al., PNAS 97(1): 222-227 (2000)), referencequery pyrosequencing (RQPS; Liu et al., Cold Spring Harb. Protoc. doi:10.1101/pdb.prot5491 (2010)), mapping of fosmid ends onto a referencesequence (capillary-based technology), microelectrophoretic and nanoporesequencing (see, e.g., Service, Science 311: 1544-1546 (2006); andShendure et al., Nat. Rev. Genet. 5: 335-344 (2004)), and the like.

Denaturation of nucleic acid targets for analysis by in situhybridization and similar methods typically is done in such a manner asto preserve cell morphology. For example, chromosomal DNA can bedenatured by high pH, heat (e.g., temperatures from about 70-95° C.),organic solvents (e.g., formamide), and combinations thereof. Probes, onthe other hand, can be denatured by heat in a matter of minutes.

After denaturation, hybridization is carried out. Conditions forspecifically hybridizing the probes to their nucleic acid targetsgenerally include the combinations of conditions that are employable ina given hybridization procedure to produce specific hybrids, theconditions of which may easily be determined by one of ordinary skill inthe art. Such conditions typically involve controlled temperature,liquid phase, and contact between a probe and a target. Hybridizationconditions vary depending upon many factors including probeconcentration, target length, target and probe G-C content, solventcomposition, temperature, and duration of incubation. At least onedenaturation step can precede contact of the probes with the targets.Alternatively, the probe and the target can be subjected to denaturingconditions together while in contact with one another, or withsubsequent contact of the probe with the biological sample.Hybridization can be achieved with subsequent incubation of theprobe/sample in, for example, a liquid phase of about a 50:50 volumeratio mixture of 2-4×SSC and formamide, at a temperature in the range ofabout 25 to about 55° C. for a time that is illustratively in the rangeof about 0.5 to about 96 hours, or more preferably at a temperature ofabout 32 to about 40° C. for a time in the range of about 2 to about 16hours. In order to increase specificity, a blocking agent, such asunlabeled blocking nucleic acid, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,756,696(the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety, and specifically for the description of the use of blockingnucleic acid), can be used. Other conditions can be readily employed forspecifically hybridizing the probes to their nucleic acid targetspresent in the sample, as would be readily apparent to one of skill inthe art. Hybridization protocols are described, for example, in Pinketet al., PNAS USA 85: 9138-9142 (1988); In situ Hybridization Protocols,Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 33, Choo, ed., Humana Press, Totowa,N.J. (1994); and Kallioniemi et al., PNAS USA 89: 5321-5325 (1992).

Upon completion of a suitable incubation period, non-specific binding ofchromosomal probes to sample DNA can be removed by a series of washes.Temperature and salt concentrations are suitably chosen for a desiredstringency. The level of stringency required depends on the complexityof a specific probe sequence in relation to the genomic sequence, andcan be determined by systematically hybridizing probes to samples ofknown genetic composition. In general, high stringency washes can becarried out at a temperature in the range of about 65 to about 80° C.with about 0.2× to about 2×SSC and about 0.1% to about 1% of a non-ionicdetergent, such as Nonidet P-40 (NP40). If lower stringency washes arerequired, the washes can be carried out at a lower temperature with anincreased concentration of salt.

When fluorophore-labeled probes or probe compositions are used, thedetection method can involve fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, orother means for determining probe hybridization. Any suitablemicroscopic imaging method can be used in conjunction with the methodsdescribed herein for observing multiple fluorophores. In the case wherefluorescence microscopy is employed, hybridized samples can be viewedunder light suitable for excitation of each fluorophore and with the useof an appropriate filter or filters. Automated digital imaging systems,such as the MetaSystems, BioView or Applied Imaging systems,alternatively can be used, along with signal enumeration and dataacquisition algorithms.

Depending on the method employed, a digital image analysis system can beused to facilitate the display of results and to improve the sensitivityof detecting small differences in fluorescence intensity. An exemplarysystem is BioView automated slide scanner with image analysis software.Another exemplary system is QUIPS (an acronym for quantitative imageprocessing system), which is an automated image analysis system based ona standard fluorescence microscope equipped with an automated stage,focus control and filter wheel (Ludl Electronic Products, Ltd.,Hawthorne, N.Y.). The filter wheel is mounted in the fluorescenceexcitation path of the microscope for selection of the excitationwavelength. Special filters (Chroma Technology, Brattleboro, Vt.) in thedichroic block allow excitation of the multiple dyes without imageregistration shift. The microscope has two camera ports, one of whichhas an intensified CCD camera (Quantex Corp., Sunnyvale, Calif.) forsensitive high-speed video image display, which is used for findinginteresting areas on a slide as well as for focusing. The other cameraport has a cooled CCD camera (model 200 by Photometrics Ltd., Tucson,Ariz.), which is used for the actual image acquisition at highresolution and sensitivity. The cooled CCD camera is interfaced to a SUN4/330 workstation (SUN Microsystems, Inc., Mountain View, Calif.)through a VME bus. The entire acquisition of multicolor images iscontrolled using an image processing software package SCIL-Image (DelftCentre for Image Processing, Delft, Netherlands).

In array CGH (aCGH) the probes are immobilized at distinct locations ona substrate and are not labeled (see, e.g., Int'l Pat. App. Pub. No. WO96/17958). Instead, sample nucleic acids, which comprise target nucleicacid(s), are labeled. Either the sample nucleic acids are labeled priorto hybridization or the hybridization complexes are detectably labeled.In dual- or multi-color aCGH the probe array is simultaneously orsequentially hybridized to two or more collections of differentlylabeled target nucleic acids.

The above methods can be used to stratify patients into those who needaggressive treatment (e.g., surgery, hormone therapy, radiation, or, ifpost-surgery (e.g., simple or radical prostatectomy), adjuvant treatment(e.g., androgen deprivation)), and those who do not need aggressivetreatment, such as those who should undergo active surveillance orwatchful waiting. The methods also can be used to monitor theprogression or recurrence of prostate cancer, to determine the candidacyof a patient for treatment, and to monitor the efficacy of prophylacticor therapeutic treatment (e.g., hormone or radiation therapy) ofprostate cancer.

Results obtained with urine- or blood-based detection methods can beconfirmed with the above methods.

Additionally, provided herein is method of monitoring the progression ofprostate cancer in a subject. Optimally, the method comprises the stepsof:

(a) determining chromosomal abnormalities in a sample from a subject;

(b) determining the levels of chromosomal abnormalities in a latersample from the subject; and

(c) comparing the levels of chromosomal abnormalities as determined instep (b) with the levels of chromosomal abnormalities as determined instep (a), wherein if the levels in step (b) are unchanged or unfavorablewhen compared to the levels determined in step (a), then prostate canceris determined to have continued, progressed or worsened in the subject.By comparison, if the levels as determined in step (b) are favorablewhen compared to the levels as determined in step (a), then prostatecancer is determined to have discontinued, regressed or improved in thesubject.

Optionally, the method further comprises comparing the levels ofchromosomal abnormalities as determined in step (b), for example, withpredetermined levels. Further, optionally the method comprises treatingthe subject, e.g., with one or more pharmaceutical compositions,radiation, and/or hormone therapy, for a period of time if thecomparison shows that the levels as determined in step (b), for example,are unfavorably altered with respect to the predetermined levels.

Thus, the method can further comprise prognosticating or assessing theefficacy of a therapeutic/prophylactic treatment of a patient from whomthe test sample was obtained. If the method further comprises assessingthe efficacy of a therapeutic/prophylactic treatment of the patient fromwhom the test sample was obtained, the method optionally furthercomprises modifying the therapeutic/prophylactic treatment of thepatient as needed to improve efficacy. The method can be adapted for usein an automated system or a semi-automated system.

Generally, a predetermined level can be employed as a benchmark againstwhich to assess results obtained upon assaying a sample of prostatecells for chromosomal abnormalities. Generally, in making such acomparison, the predetermined level is obtained by running a particularassay a sufficient number of times and under appropriate conditions suchthat a linkage or association of a particular chromosomal abnormality(presence or level) with a particular stage or endpoint of a disease,disorder or condition (e.g., preeclampsia or cardiovascular disease) orwith particular indicia can be made. Typically, the predetermined levelis obtained with assays of reference subjects (or populations ofsubjects).

In particular, with respect to a predetermined level as employed formonitoring disease progression and/or treatment, the chromosomalabnormality (presence or level) may be “unchanged,” “favorable” (or“favorably altered”), or “unfavorable” (or “unfavorably altered”).“Elevated” or “increased” refers to a level of chromosomal abnormalityin a sample of prostate cells that is higher than a typical or normallevel or range (e.g., predetermined level), or is higher than anotherreference level or range (e.g., earlier or baseline sample). The term“lowered” or “reduced” refers to a level of chromosomal abnormality in asample of prostate cells that is lower than a typical or normal level orrange (e.g., predetermined level), or is lower than another referencelevel or range (e.g., earlier or baseline sample). The term “altered”refers to a level of chromosomal abnormality in a sample of prostatecells that is altered (increased or decreased) over a typical or normallevel or range (e.g., predetermined level), or over another referencelevel or range (e.g., earlier or baseline sample). The typical or normallevel or range for a given chromosomal abnormality is defined inaccordance with standard practice.

Moreover, the present disclosure also relates to methods of determiningwhether a subject predisposed to or suffering from prostate cancer willbenefit from treatment. In particular, the disclosure relates tocompanion diagnostic methods and products. Thus, the method can furtherencompass selecting or identifying candidates for therapy.

Thus, in particular embodiments, the disclosure also provides a methodof determining whether a subject having, or at risk for, prostate canceris a candidate for therapy. Generally, the subject is one who hasexperienced some symptom of the disease or who has actually beendiagnosed as having, or being at risk for, such a disease, and/or whodemonstrates unfavorable levels of chromosomal abnormalities, asdescribed herein.

The method optionally comprises an assay as described herein, wherelevels of chromosomal abnormalities are assessed before and followingtreatment of a subject. The observation of unfavorable levels ofchromosomal abnormalities following treatment confirms that the subjectwill not benefit from receiving further or continued treatment, whereasthe observation of favorable levels of chromosomal abnormalitiesfollowing treatment confirms that the subject will benefit fromreceiving further or continued treatment. This confirmation assists withmanagement of clinical studies, and provision of improved patient care.

Probes

A set of detectably labeled probes is provided. The set of probes is:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and a chromosome enumeration        probe for chromosome 8,    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-part probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (vi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (vii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (viii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific        probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific        probe for MYCN,    -   (ix) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2,    -   (x) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and a locus-specific probe        for FGFR1,    -   (xi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for MYC,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        PTEN,    -   (xiii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27, or    -   (xiv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a chromosome enumeration probe        for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a        break-apart probe for ERG.

In another embodiment, the set of probes comprises (or consists of) adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MYC, a detectably labeled,locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a detectably labeled, break-apartprobe for ERG. The set of probes can further comprise a detectablylabeled, locus-specific probe for PTEN, a detectably labeled,locus-specific probe for MYCN, a detectably labeled, locus-specificprobe for MDM2, a detectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 8, a detectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 10, a detectably labeled locus-specific probe for AURKA, adetectably labeled locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a detectably labeledlocus-specific probe for P27, a detectably labeled break-apart probe forETV1, and one or more probes for one or more genes involved in the samepathway as any of the foregoing genes. Use of a chromosome enumerationprobe along with a locus-specific probe for a gene present on the samechromosome enables a ratio, such as the gene/chromosome ratio (e.g.,PTEN/CEP10 and/or FGFR1/CEP8) to be assessed, if desired.

An example of a MYC probe is LSI MYC SPECTRUMAQUA™ Probe, which isapproximately 821 kb in length, and is available from Abbott Molecular,Inc. A smaller MYC probe, which is approximately 120 kb in length, alsois available from Abbott Molecular, Inc., as LSI-MYC SPECTRUMORANGE™Probe.

An example of a FGFR1 probe is LSI FGFR1 SPECTRUMRED™ Probe, which isapproximately 531 kb in length and available from Abbott Molecular, Inc.

An example of an ERG probe is an ERG Cen probe, which is 209 kb inlength. Another example of an ERG probe is an ERG Tel probe, which is561 kb in length. Both probes are available from Abbott Molecular, Inc.

An example of a PTEN probe is LSI PTEN SPECTRUMORANGE™ Probe, which isapproximately 344 kb in length, and is available from Abbott Molecular,Inc. Another example of a PTEN probe is LSI PTEN SPECTRUMGOLD™ Probe,which is approximately 344 kb in length and available from AbbottMolecular, Inc.

A MYCN probe, which is 200 kb in length, is available from AbbottMolecular, Inc.

An example of a MDM2 probe is LSI MDM2 SPECTRUMORANGE™ probe, which isapproximately 209 kb in length and available from Abbott Molecular, Inc.

An example of a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8 is CEP8®SPECTRUMORANGE™, which is available from Abbott Molecular, Inc. CEP8®hybridizes to α-satellite DNA in the region of 8p11.1-q11.1 at thecentromere of chromosome 8.

An example of a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10 is CEP10®SPECTRUMGREEN™, which is available from Abbott Molecular, Inc. CEP10®hybridizes to α-satellite DNA in the region of 10p11.1-q11.1 at thecentromere of chromosome 10.

An AURKA probe, which is 648 kb in length, is available from AbbottMolecular, Inc.

A NKX3.1 probe, which is 528 kb in length, is available from AbbottMolecular, Inc.

A P27 probe, which is 392 kb in length, is available from AbbottMolecular, Inc.

Examples of ETV1 probes include LSI ETV1 (Cen) SPECTRUMGREEN™ Probe,which is approximately 605 kb in length and hybridizes 5′ to the ETV1gene, and LSI ETV1 (Tel) SPECTRUMRED™ Probe, which is approximately 560kb in length and hybridizes 3′ to the ETV1 gene. Both probes areavailable from Abbott Molecular, Inc.

Chromosome enumerator probes (CEP) and locus-specific probes that targeta chromosome region or subregion can be obtained commercially or readilyprepared by those in the art. Such probes can be commercially obtainedfrom Abbott Molecular, Inc. (Des Plaines, Ill.), Molecular Probes, Inc.(Eugene, Oreg.), or Cytocell (Oxfordshire, UK). Chromosomal probes canbe prepared, for example, from protein nucleic acids (PNA), cloned humanDNA such as plasmids, bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), and P1artificial chromosomes (PACs) that contain inserts of human DNAsequences. A region of interest can be obtained via PCR amplification orcloning. In another embodiment, the chromosomal probes can be oligoprobes. Alternatively, chromosomal probes can be prepared syntheticallyin accordance with methods known in the art.

When targeting of a particular gene locus is desired, probes thathybridize along the entire length of the targeted gene can be preferred,although not required. A locus-specific probe can be designed tohybridize to an oncogene or tumor suppressor gene, the geneticaberration of which is correlated with metastasis, e.g., MYC.

The probes can be prepared by any method known in the art. Probes can besynthesized or recombinantly produced. Such probes can range in lengthfrom about 25,000 base pairs to about 800,000 base pairs.

Preferably, probes are detectably labeled, and each probe is distinctlylabeled. Preferably, the probes are detectably labeled withfluorophores, and each probe is distinctly labeled. Examples ofpreferred fluorophores include, but are not limited to,7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetic acid (AMCA), 5-carboxy-X-rhodamine,6-carboxy-X-rhodamine, lissamine rhodamine B, 5-carboxyfluorescein,6-carboxyfluorescein, fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC),7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-carboxylic acid,tetramethylrhodamine-5-isothiocyanate,tetramethylrhodamine-6-isothiocyanate, 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine,6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine, 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylic acid,N-4,4-difluoro-5,7-dimethyl-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-3-indacenepropionic acid,eosin-5-isothiocyanate, erythrosine-5-isothiocyanate, SPECTRUMRED™(Abbott Molecular, Inc.), SPECTRUMGOLD™ (Abbott Molecular, Inc.),SPECTRUMGREEN™ (Abbott Molecular, Inc.), SPECTRUMAQUA™ (AbbottMolecular, Inc.), TEXAS RED™ (Molecular Probes, Inc.), Lucifer yellow,and CASCADE blue acetylazide (Molecular Probes, Inc.). The particularlabel used is not critical; desirably, however, the particular labeldoes not interfere with in situ hybridization of the probe and thedetection of label on any other probe. The label desirably is detectablein as low copy number as possible to maximize the sensitivity of theassay and be detectable above any background signal. Also desirably, thelabel provides a highly localized signal, thereby providing a highdegree of spatial resolution.

Attachment of fluorophores to nucleic acid probes is well-known in theart and can be accomplished by any available means. Fluorophores can becovalently attached to a particular nucleotide, for example, and thelabeled nucleotide incorporated into the probe using standard techniquessuch as nick translation, random priming (Rigby et al., J. Mol. Biol.113: 237 (1997)), PCR labeling, end labeling, direct labeling bychemical modification of particular residues, such as cytosine residues(U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,224), and the like. Alternatively, the fluorophorecan be covalently attached to nucleotides with activated linker arms,which have been incorporated into the probe, for example, via a linkerto the deoxycytidine nucleotides of the probe that have beentransaminated. Methods for labeling probes are described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,491,224, and Morrison et al., Molecular Cytogenetics: Protocolsand Applications, Chapter 2, “Labeling Fluorescence In SituHybridization Probes for Genomic Targets,” pp. 21-40, Fan, Ed., HumanaPress (2002), both of which are herein incorporated by reference fortheir descriptions of labeling probes.

One of skill in the art will recognize that other agents or dyes can beused in lieu of fluorophores as label-containing moieties. Luminescentagents include, for example, radioluminescent, chemiluminescent,bioluminescent, and phosphorescent label-containing moieties. Agentsthat are detectable with visible light include cyanin dyes.Alternatively, detection moieties that are visualized by indirect meanscan be used. For example, probes can be labeled with biotin ordigoxygenin using routine methods known in the art, and then furtherprocessed for detection. Visualization of a biotin-containing probe canbe achieved via subsequent binding of avidin conjugated to a detectablemarker. The detectable marker may be a fluorophore, in which casevisualization and discrimination of probes can be achieved as describedbelow.

Chromosomal probes hybridized to target regions alternatively can bevisualized by enzymatic reactions of label moieties with suitablesubstrates for the production of insoluble color products. Each probecan be discriminated from other probes within the set by choice of adistinct label moiety. A biotin-containing probe within a set can bedetected via subsequent incubation with avidin conjugated to alkalinephosphatase (AP) or horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and a suitablesubstrate. 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolylphosphate and nitro bluetetrazolium (NBT) serve as substrates for alkaline phosphatase, whilediaminobenzoate serves as a substrate for HRP.

Kits

A kit is also provided. The kit comprises a set of probes, such as a setof probes as described above, which enables distinguishing between apatient with aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma and a patient withindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma, and instructions for carrying out anabove-described method. Alternatively, the kit comprises a set ofprobes, such as a set of probes as described above, that enablesidentification of a patient with a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma or identification of a patient with indolentadenocarcinoma and instructions for carrying out an above-describedmethod.

Thus, in one embodiment, the kit comprises (a) a set of probes, whereinthe set of probes is (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consistingof a locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,(ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specificprobe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a break-apart probefor ERG, (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising alocus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, abreak-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN, (iv) aset of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe forMYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a break-apart probe for ERG, anda locus-specific probe for MYCN, (v) a set of detectably labeled probescomprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe forFGFR1, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for MDM2,(vi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specificprobe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a break-apart probe forERG, and a locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, (vii) a set of detectablylabeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apartprobe for ETV1, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specificprobe for P27, (viii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising alocus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, alocus-specific probe for PTEN, and a chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 8 (CEP8), (ix) a set of detectably labeled probes comprisinga chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probefor MYC, a break-part probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe forFGFR1, (x) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosomeenumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, abreak-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, (xi) aset of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome enumerationprobe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apartprobe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, (xii) a set ofdetectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe forERG, and a locus-specific probe for MYCN, (xiii) a set of detectablylabeled probes comprising a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and alocus-specific probe for MDM2, (xiv) a set of detectably labeled probescomprising a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, alocus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and alocus-specific probe for FGFR1, (xv) a set of detectably labeled probescomprising a locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe forMYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,(xvi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosomeenumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, abreak-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN, (xvii) aset of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe forMYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, anda locus-specific probe for P27, or

(xviii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specificprobe for AURKA, a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, alocus-specific probe for MYC, and a break-apart probe for ERG. Thelocus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (i)-(vi), (viii), (xi),(xiv), (xv), and (xvii) is used to determine % loss of FGFR1, thelocus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (vii), (ix), and, as analternative to % loss of FGFR1, (xiv), is used to determine % gain ofFGFR1, CEP8 in the sets of (ix)-(xiv), (xvi), and (xviii) is used todetermine % loss of CEP8, the locus-specific probe for PTEN in sets(iii) and (viii) is used to determine % homozygous loss of PTEN, thelocus-specific probe for PTEN in set (xvi) is used to determine % lossof PTEN, and the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 and CEP8 in the sets of(viii), and as an alternative to % gain of FGFR1, (ix), are used todetermine % loss of FGFR1/CEP8 ratio. The kit further comprises (b)instructions for distinguishing between a patient with aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma and a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma. The instructions comprise determining in a sampleobtained from the patient the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. Themethod can comprise contacting the sample with a set of probes underhybridizing conditions, counting hybridization complexes, and comparingthe number to a cut-off in a range of cut-offs or a specific cut-off asdescribed herein. For example, a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells withMYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two to less than orequal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40, aFGFR1% gain (% gain is % of cells with FGFR copy numbers>2) of greaterthan or equal to two to less than or equal to 46, a CEP8% loss (% lossis % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 21to less than or equal to 36, a CEP8% gain (% gain is % of cells withCEP8 copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 15 to less than orequal to 40, a FGFR1/CEP8% loss of greater than or equal to 13 to lessthan or equal to 72, a PTEN % homozygous loss (% homozygous loss is % ofcells with PTEN copy numbers of zero) of greater than or equal to twoand less than or equal to 40, a PTEN % loss (% loss is % of cells withPTEN copy number of less than two) of greater than or equal to 10 toless than or equal to 50, a ERG 2+Edel of greater than or equal to oneto less than or equal to 30, a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells withMYCN copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two to less than orequal to 30, a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 20,a NKX3.1% loss (% loss is % of cells with NKX3.1 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50, an ETV1%translocation/deletion of greater than or equal to 1 to less than orequal to 20, a P27% loss (% loss is % of cells with P27 copy numbers<2)of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50, or an AURKA% gain (% gain is % of cells with AURKA copy numbers>2) of greater thanor equal to 1 to less than or equal to 20 indicates that the patient hasa high risk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, whereasnone of the above indicates that the patient has indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma. If the patient has had a prostatectomy, thedetermination of the presence of a chromosomal abnormality in the sampleindicates that the patient has a high risk of recurrence or metastasis,in which case the instructions can further comprise recommending thatthe patient consult his physician for immediate treatment to inhibit orprevent recurrence or metastasis. If the patient has/is being initiallydiagnosed with prostate cancer and the patient has a high risk ofdeveloping aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, the instructions canfurther comprise recommending that the patient consult his physician forimmediate treatment. If the patient has/is being initially diagnosedwith prostate cancer and the patient has indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma, the instructions can further comprise recommendingactive surveillance or watchful waiting.

In another embodiment, the kit comprises (a) a set of probes, whereinthe set of probes is (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consistingof a locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,(ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specificprobe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a break-apart probefor ERG, (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising alocus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, abreak-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN, (iv) aset of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe forMYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a break-apart probe for ERG, anda locus-specific probe for MYCN, or (v) a set of detectably labeledprobes comprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probefor FGFR1, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe forMDM2. Set (i) can further consist of, or the set of any of (ii)-(v) canfurther comprise, a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, achromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10, a locus-specific probefor AURKA, a locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a locus-specific probe forP27, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and/or one or more probes for one ormore genes involved in the same pathway as any of the foregoing genes.Use of a chromosome enumeration probe along with a locus-specific probefor a gene present on the same chromosome enables a ratio, such as thegene/chromosome ratio (e.g., PTEN/CEP10 and/or FGFR1/CEP8) to beassessed, if desired. The kit further comprises (b) instructions foridentifying a patient with a high risk of developing aggressiveprostatic adenocarcinoma. The instructions comprise determining in asample obtained from the patient the presence of chromosomalabnormalities. The method can comprise contacting the sample with a setof probes under hybridizing conditions, counting hybridizationcomplexes, and comparing the number to a cut-off in a range of cut-offsor a specific cut-off as described herein. For example, for (i) a MYC %gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than orequal to 26 and/or a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, for (ii) a MYC % gain (% gainis % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 14, aFGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greaterthan or equal to 26, and/or an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to10, for (iii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to eight, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, anERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10, and/or a PTEN % homozygousloss of greater than or equal to 20, for (iv) a MYC % gain (% gain is %of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, aFGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greaterthan or equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10,and/or a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYCN copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 20, or for (v) a MYC % gain (% gain is % ofcells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, a FGFR1%loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than orequal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10, and/or aMDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy numbers>2) of greaterthan or equal to 10 indicates that the patient has a high risk ofdeveloping aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma. The instructions canfurther comprise instructions for obtaining a clinical parameterselected from the group consisting of a Gleason score, a tumor stage, alevel of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a nomogram, methylationstatus, mutation, and age of the patient, any of which can be combinedwith the determination of the presence of chromosomal abnormalities forprognosis.

In yet another embodiment, the kit comprises (a) a set of probes,wherein the set of probes is (i) a set of detectably labeled probesconsisting of a locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probefor FGFR1, (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising alocus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and abreak-apart probe for ERG, (iii) a set of detectably labeled probescomprising a locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN, (iv) aset of detectably labeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe forMYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a break-apart probe for ERG, anda locus-specific probe for MYCN, or (v) a set of detectably labeledprobes comprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probefor FGFR1, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe forMDM2. Set (i) can further consist of, of the set of any of (ii)-(v) canfurther comprise, a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, achromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10, a locus-specific probefor AURKA, a locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a locus-specific probe forP27, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and/or one or more probes for one ormore genes involved in the same pathway as any of the foregoing genes.Use of a chromosome enumeration probe along with a locus-specific probefor a gene present on the same chromosome enables a ratio, such as thegene/chromosome ratio (e.g., PTEN/CEP10 and/or FGFR1/CEP8) to beassessed, if desired. The kit further comprises (b) instructions foridentifying a patient with indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma. Theinstructions comprise determining in a sample obtained from the patientthe presence of chromosomal abnormalities. The method can comprisecontacting the sample with a set of probes under hybridizing conditions,counting hybridization complexes, and comparing the number to a cut-offin a range of cut-offs or a specific cut-off as described herein. Forexample, for (i) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to two and/or a FGFR1% loss (% lossis % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10,for (ii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10, and/or an ERG %2+Edel of greater than or equal to two, for (iii) a MYC % gain (% gainis % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two,a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 10, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to10, and/or a PTEN % homozygous loss of greater than or equal to 20, for(iv) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 18, an ERG % 2+Edel ofgreater than or equal to two, and/or a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cellswith MYCN copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 20, or for (v) aMYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) of greaterthan or equal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copynumbers<2) of greater than or equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greaterthan or equal to two, and/or a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells withMDM2 copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to three indicates thatthe patient has a high risk of developing aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma and none of the foregoing indicates that the patient hasindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma. The instructions can furthercomprise instructions for obtaining a clinical parameter selected fromthe group consisting of a Gleason score, a tumor stage, a level ofprostate-specific antigen (PSA), a nomogram, methylation status,mutation, and age of the patient, any of which can be combined with thedetermination of the presence of chromosomal abnormalities forprognosis.

An above-described kit can further comprise one or more reagents, suchas DAPI 1 counterstain, pre-treatment SSC buffer (e.g., 1×SSC, pH 7.0),protease buffer (e.g., 0.1 N HCl), protease IV (e.g., pepsin, such as inpowder form (75 mg/tube)), post-hybridization wash buffer (e.g., 2×SSC,0.3% NP-40), and the like.

EXAMPLES

The following examples serve to illustrate the present invention. Theexamples are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention inany way.

Example 1

This example describes the evaluation of various probes, andcombinations thereof, in the assessment of prostate cancer samples usingmulticolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

A total of 52 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) radicalprostatectomy specimens from patients with adenocarcinoma of theprostate were collected at RUSH Medical Center, Chicago, Ill. Out of the52 specimens, 32 were obtained from patients that progressed within 15years. Out of those 32 specimens, seven were obtained from patients thatwere never disease-free, and four were obtained from patients that diedfrom prostate carcinoma. The remaining 20 specimens were obtained frompatients that did not progress during the period of follow-up from8.2-15.0 years.

All specimens were evaluated with 14 probes. The probes were PTEN,NKX3.1, P27 (CDKN1B), CEP10, CMYC, AURKA, ERG Cen (centromeric probe),ERG Tel (telomeric probe), ETV1 Tel (telomeric probe), ETV1 Cen(centromeric probe), MDM2, MYCN, FGFR1, and CEP8. The probes were testedin sets as shown in Table 1. All probes were manufactured at AbbottMolecular, Inc. (Des Plaines, Ill.), and can be obtained from themanufacturer.

TABLE 1 Probe Set Probe Locus Color Probe Set 1 PTEN 10q23 Gold CEP10Aqua ERG Cen 21q22.2 Red ERG Tel 21q22.2 Green Probe Set 2 NKX3.1 8p21Gold CMYC 8q24 Aqua ETV1 Tel 7p21.2 Red ETV1 Cen 7p21.2 Green Probe Set3 P27 (CDKN1B) 12p13.1 Gold AURKA 20q13.2 Aqua MDM2 12q14-15 Red MYCN2p24 Green Probe Set 4 FGFR1 8p12 Red CEP8 Aqua

FFPE specimen slides were selected within 10 serial sections of therespective hematoxylin- and eosin-stained (H&E stained) slides forevaluation of the probes with FISH. This selection ensured minimalseparation between the areas evaluated by histopathology and areasevaluated by FISH. The H&E stained sections were examined by apathologist. The largest possible areas of tumors were marked, i.e.,encircled. Corresponding areas on the specimen slides selected forevaluation of the probes with FISH were marked with a glass scribe.

FFPE specimen slides were baked at 60° C. for 2-24 hours and thentreated three times with Hemo-De® (Scientific Safety Solvents, Keller,Tex.) for five minutes each time at room temperature and rinsed twotimes with 100% ethanol for one minute each time at room temperature.Slides were incubated in pre-treatment solution (1×SSC (saline-sodiumcitrate), pH 7.0) at 80° C. for 35 minutes, rinsed in deionized waterfor three minutes, incubated in 0.15% pepsin in 0.1 N HCl solution at37° C. for 20-22 minutes, and rinsed again in deionized water for threeminutes. Slides then were dehydrated in 70%, 85%, and 100% ethanol forone minute each and air-dried.

Ten microliters of a hybridization mixture containing a probe set (asindicated in Table 1), blocking DNAs, and LSI/WCP Hybridization Buffer(Abbott Molecular, Inc.) were added to a specimen slide, and a coverslipwas applied and sealed with rubber cement. Slides and probes wereco-denatured at 73° C. for five minutes and hybridized at 37° C. on aThermoBrite® hybridization platform (Abbott Molecular, Inc.) for 16-24hours. After hybridization, coverslips were removed by soaking theslides in 1×SSC solution, pH 7.0, for 2-5 minutes, and immediatelywashing in 2×SSC/0.3% NP-40 at 73° C. for three minutes and 1×SSCsolution, pH 7.0, at room temperature for one minute. The slides thenwere allowed to dry in the dark. Ten microliters of4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole counterstain/anti-fade solution (DAPI 1;Abbott Molecular, Inc.) were added to the specimen, and the specimen wascovered with a coverslip for microscopy.

Several fields of view within the scribed tumor area were evaluated onslides separately hybridized with each probe set listed in Table 1.Cells (50-100) were enumerated for the number of fluorescent signals foreach probe in a given set. All possible patterns of rearrangement andcopy number changes for the ERG and ETV1 break apart probes werecaptured and recorded.

The following FISH abnormality parameters were calculated:

ERG break-apart probe (BAP) (no. single red signals≥1),

ERG 2+Edel (no. single red signals−no. single green signals≥2),

PTEN loss (% cells per specimen with signal≤1),

PTEN/CEP10 loss (% cells per specimen with ratio<1),

ETV1 BAP (no. single red signals≥1),

NKX3.1 loss (% cells per specimen with signal≤1),

CMYC gain (% cells per specimen with signal>2),

AURKA gain (% cells per specimen with signal>2),

MYCN gain (% cells per specimen with signal>2),

P27 loss (% cells per specimen with signal≤1),

MDM2 gain (% cells per specimen with signal>2),

FGFR1 gain (% cells per specimen with signal>2),

FGFR1 loss (% cells per specimen with signal≤1),

CEP8 gain (% cells per specimen with signal>2),

CEP8 loss (% cells per specimen with signal≤1),

FGFR1/CEP8 gain (% cells per specimen with ratio>1), and

FGFR1/CEP8 loss (% cells per specimen with ratio<1).

The FISH abnormality parameters were systematically analyzed to selectand prioritize candidate probes, and combinations thereof, usingReceiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis and Survival analysis(Cox Proportional Hazards model). Patients were followed up for 15years. Patients, who developed progression beyond 15 years, were treatedas censored at 15 years. Disease outcome was “progression,” whichincluded disease recurrence and death of disease (DOD) as outcomes. ROCanalysis discriminated between those patients, who progressed within 15years (sensitivity), and control patients, who did not progress within15 years (specificity), in order to maximize sensitivity and specificity(Area Under the Curve (AUC)). Using Survival analysis, a Hazard Ratio(HR) of “the likelihood of disease progression in FISH-positivepatients/FISH-negative patients” was determined. For each FISHabnormality parameter, highest specificity was optimized based onselected cutoff(s) to select patients for aggressive/adjuvant treatment(in this study, patients were selected for highest specificity toachieve the best “positive predictive value”). Highest sensitivity, withspecificity of at least 50%, was optimized based on selected cutoff(s)to select patients with indolent tumors for observation (in this study,patients were selected for highest sensitivity to achieve the best“negative predictive value”).

Using ROC analysis and Survival analysis, the abnormal FISH parametersin Table 2 were identified as having the potential to aid indiscriminating patients with high risk for disease progression fromthose patients with low risk for disease progression with p<0.05. Thecutoff was based on percentage of cells containing a genomicabnormality. FISH positivity and negativity were decided based on thecutoff values. FISH positivity was defined as the percentage of cellscontaining a genomic abnormality≥cutoff, whereas FISH negativity wasdefined as the percentage of cells containing a genomicabnormality<cutoff. Each cutoff was determined by simulating allpossible cutoffs (1-100%) from the Cox model, and only those cutoffswith significant p-values were included in the secondary ROC analysis tocalculate the AUC. The cutoff value was selected by the best HazardRatio (HR). When HR was greater or equal to one, the largest HR waschosen; when HR was less than one, the smallest HR was chosen.

TABLE 2 Abnormal FISH Hazard Ratio Parameter Cutoff* (best possible)P-value (COX) AUC FGFR1 loss 40 4.163 0.0030 0.7039 CEP8 loss 26 3.8580.0006 0.6977 FGFR1 gain 6 0.303 0.0122 0.6914 FGFR1/CEP8 loss 72 8.5040.0475 0.6664 CEP8 gain 15 0.372 0.0136 0.6555 CMYC gain 26 2.695 0.04420.6422 ERG single red 17 0.264 0.0387 0.5648 AURKA gain 1 0.118 0.04750.5031 *the p-value was still significant within the cutoff ranges of15-40 for FGFR1 loss, 21-36 for CEP8 % loss, 26-46 for FGFR1 gain, 13-72for FGFR1/CEP8 loss, 15-40 for CEP8 gain, 2-30 for MYC gain, and 14-17for ERG single red.

Example 2

This example describes further evaluation of FGFR1 gain with a cutoff ofsix and FGFR1 loss with a cutoff of 40.

FGFR1 gain with a cutoff of six was evaluated further as shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a KM curve (PFS (years) vs. survival probability) ofFGFR1 gain with a log-rank p-value of 0.0062. The data indicated thatpatients with FGFR1 gain or amplification will progress (recur or die)slower. In other words, those patients, who are positive for FGFR1 gain,have less chance of progression than those patients, who are negativefor FGFR1 gain (hazard ratio of 0.303).

FGFR1 loss with a cutoff of 40 was evaluated further as shown in FIG. 2.FIG. 2 is a KM curve (PFS (years) vs. survival probability) of FGFR1loss with a log-rank p-value of 0.0009. The data indicated that patientswith FGFR1 loss will progress (recur or die) faster. In other words,those patients, who are positive for FGFR1 loss, have more chance ofprogression than those patients, who are negative for FGFR1 loss (hazardratio of 4.163).

Example 3

This example describes further evaluation of combinations of two, three,and four abnormal FISH parameters.

Combinations of two, three, and four abnormal FISH parameters wereevaluated using ROC analysis. AUC rankings of the combinations are shownin Table 3. Comparison of the analysis between combinations of abnormalFISH parameters and single abnormal FISH parameters by AUC indicatedthat maximum performance is achieved by grouping complementarybiomarkers.

TABLE 3 Combination AUC CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, PTENhomozygous 0.8563 loss CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, NKX3.1 loss0.8531 CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, MYCN gain 0.8445 CMYC gain,ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, MDM2 gain 0.8438 CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel,FGFR1 loss 0.843 CMYC gain, ETV1 single red, FGFR 1 gain, P27 loss0.8391 CMYC gain, FGFR1 loss, PTEN homozygous loss, 0.8391 FGFR1/CEP8loss CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 gain 0.8438 CEP8 loss,CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, NKX3.1 loss 0.843 CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ERG 2 +Edel, FGFR1 loss 0.8398 CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, MYCN gain0.8398 CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, MDM2 gain 0.8359 CEP8 loss,CMYC gain, ETV1 single red, FGFR1 gain 0.8375 CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ERG2 + Edel, FGFR1/CEP8 loss 0.8438 CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ETV1 single red,FGFR1 loss 0.8359 AURKA gain, CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss 0.8383CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ERG 2 + Edel, PTEN loss 0.8359 CMYC gain, ERG 2 +Edel, FGFR1 loss, P27 loss 0.8359 AURKA gain, CEP8 loss, CMYC gain, ERG2 + Edel 0.8336 CMYC gain, FGFR1 loss 0.8055

Example 4

This example describes the further evaluation of combinations ofabnormal FISH parameters in the selection of patients with moreaggressive disease for aggressive and/or adjuvant treatment.

Various combinations of abnormal FISH parameters were evaluated usingCOX and ROC analysis for selection of patients with more aggressivedisease for aggressive and/or adjuvant treatment. Combinations ofabnormal FISH parameters with the highest specificity and acceptablesensitivity were selected so as to target the highest positivepredictive value. The results of COX and ROC analysis of sixcombinations are set forth in Table 4. Each cutoff was determined byfirst simulating all possible cutoff combinations (for each parameter inthe combination). The cutoff was based on the percentage of cellscontaining a genomic abnormality. FISH positivity and negativity weredecided based on the cutoff values. FISH positivity was defined as anyparameters in the combination being positive, whereas FISH negativitywas defined as all FISH parameters in the combination being negative.The Cox model was applied to each cutoff combination. Only those cutoffcombinations with significant p-values were included in a secondary ROCanalysis. Then the cutoff value was determined from ROC.

TABLE 4 Combination of Abnormal FISH Cutoff Cutoff Cutoff Cutoff Sensi-Specifi- Hazard P-value Parameters 1 2 3 4 tivity city Ratio (Cox) AUCCMYC gain, 26 26 NA NA 44% 100% 3.874 0.0003 0.8055 FGFR1 loss CMYCgain, 14 10 26 NA 53%  95% 3.915 0.0002 0.8430 ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 lossCMYC gain, 8 10 26 20 59%  80% 2.807 0.0047 0.8563 ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1loss, PTEN homozygous loss CMYC gain, 30 10 20 20 81%  75% 5.328 0.00030.8445 ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, MYCN gain CMYC gain, 30 10 20 10 78% 65% 3.447 0.0041 0.8438 ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, MDM2 gain CMYC gain,26 26 20 34 50%  85% 2.360 0.0166 0.8391 FGFR1 loss, PTEN homozygousloss, FGFR1/ CEP8 loss

The combination of CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, and FGFR1 loss was evaluatedfurther as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a KM curve (PFS (years) vs.survival probability) of CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, and FGFR1 loss with alog-rank p-value of 0.0001.

The data for the analysis of prognosis by high/low risk (i.e.,FISH-positive/FISH-negative) are shown in Table 5. With a highspecificity (95.00%), an acceptable sensitivity (53.13%), and a hazardsradio of 3.92, the combination of CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, and FGFR1 lossindicated that patients, who are FISH-positive, have a greater chance ofprogression and will progress more quickly than patients, who areFISH-negative. This combination of abnormal FISH parameters couldseparate a high risk (recurred or DOD) group from a low risk (indolent)group and could help patients and clinicians to decide to seek immediatetreatment.

TABLE 5 Combination N of Abnormal High/ (number Median Hazard FISH Lowprogressed/ Survival Ratio P-value Sensi- Specifi- Parameters Risk DOD)(95% CI) (95% CI) (Cox) tivity city CMYC gain, High 18(17) 1 3.92 0.000253.13% 95.00% ERG 2 + Edel, Risk (0.1, 2.3) (1.9, 8.05) FGFR1 loss Low34(15) NA Risk (1.6, NA)

Example 5

This example describes the further evaluation of combinations ofabnormal FISH parameters in the identification of patients with lessaggressive (indolent) tumors for observation.

Various combinations of abnormal FISH parameters were evaluated usingCOX and ROC analysis for selection of patients with less aggressive(indolent) tumors for observation. Combinations of abnormal FISHparameters with the highest sensitivity and at least 50% specificitywere selected so as to target the highest negative predictive value. Theresults of COX and ROC analysis of six combinations are set forth inTable 6. Each cutoff was determined by first simulating all possiblecutoff combinations (for each parameter in the combination). The cutoffwas based on the percentage of cells containing a genomic abnormality.FISH positivity and negativity was decided based on the cutoff values.FISH positivity was defined as any parameters in the combination beingpositive, whereas FISH negativity was defined as all FISH parameters inthe combination being negative. The Cox model was applied to each cutoffcombination. Only those cutoff combinations with significant p-valuewere included in a secondary ROC analysis. Then the cutoff value wasdetermined from ROC.

TABLE 6 Combination of Abnormal FISH Cutoff Cutoff Cutoff Cutoff Sensi-Specifi- Hazard P-value Parameters 1 2 3 4 tivity city Ratio (Cox) AUCCMYC gain, 2 10 NA NA 88% 50% 3.571 0.0177 0.8055 FGFR1 loss CMYC gain,2 2 10 NA 91% 50% 4.648 0.0116 0.8430 ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss CMYCgain, 2 10 10 20 91% 50% 4.648 0.0116 0.8563 ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss,PTEN homozygous loss CMYC gain, 2 2 18 20 97% 50% 14.200 0.0092 0.8445ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, MYCN gain CMYC gain, 30 2 20 3 94% 55% 8.6650.0032 0.8438 ERG 2 + Edel, FGFR1 loss, MDM2 gain CMYC gain, 2 10 20 3591% 50% 4.648 0.0116 0.8391 FGFR1 loss, PTEN homozygous loss, FGFR/ CEP8loss

The combination of CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1 loss, and homozygosityfor PTEN was evaluated further as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a KM curve(PFS (years) vs. survival probability) of CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1loss, and homozygosity for PTEN with a log-rank p-value of 0.0048.

The data for the analysis of prognosis by high/low risk (i.e.,FISH-positive/FISH-negative) are shown in Table 7. With a highsensitivity (90.60%), an acceptable sensitivity (50.00%), and a hazardsradio of 4.65, the combination of CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1 loss, andhomozygous loss for PTEN indicated that patients, who are FISH-positive,have a greater chance of progression and will progress more quickly thanpatients, who are FISH-negative. More importantly, this combination ofabnormal FISH parameters also has the potential to predict that thosepatients, who are FISH-negative (10/13 patients were progression-freewithin 15 follow-up years shown on the KM curve (top line) in FIG. 4),are expected to have a longer progression-free time. This probecombination could separate the low risk (indolent) from the high risk(recurred or DOD) group and could help patients and clinicians decide tochoose active surveillance (AS) with peace of mind if FISH data arenegative.

TABLE 7 Combination N of Abnormal High/ (number Median Hazard FISH Lowprogressed/ Survival Ratio P-value Sensi- Specifi- Parameters Risk DOD)(95% CI) (95% CI) (Cox) tivity city CMYC gain, High 39(29) 2 4.65 0.011690.63% 50.00% ERG 2 + Edel, Risk (1.2, 2.8) (1.41, 15.33) FGFR1 loss,Low 13(3)  NA PTEN Risk (1.6, NA) homozygous loss

Example 6

This example describes how adding other clinical parameters, such asGleason score, to analysis of a combination of abnormal FISH parameterscan improve prediction of disease progression.

Analysis of a combination of abnormal FISH parameters, such as one ofthe combinations set forth in Table 3, or more specifically in Table 4or Table 6, can be combined with one or more other clinical parameters,such as Gleason score, tumor stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA),patient age, and the like, to predict disease progression. As shown inFIGS. 5A-5C, which are ROC curves, which are graphs of 1-Specificity(false positive) vs. Sensitivity (true positive), certain combinationsof four abnormal FISH parameters provided incremental value to a Gleasonscore. FIG. 5A shows the AUC with Gleason score alone, whereas FIG. 5Bshows the AUC with the combination of abnormal FISH parameters CMYCgain, ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1 loss, and PTEN homozygous loss, and FIG. 5Cshows the AUC with the Gleason score and the combination of abnormalFISH parameters CMYC gain, ERG 2+Edel, FGFR1 loss, and PTEN homozygousloss.

All patents, patent application publications, journal articles,textbooks, and other publications mentioned in the specification areindicative of the level of skill of those in the art to which thedisclosure pertains. All such publications are incorporated herein byreference to the same extent as if each individual publication werespecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The invention illustratively described herein may be suitably practicedin the absence of any element(s) or limitation(s), which is/are notspecifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, each instance hereinof any of the terms “comprising,” “consisting essentially of,” and“consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms.Likewise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, forexample, references to “the method” includes one or more methods and/orsteps of the type, which are described herein and/or which will becomeapparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon reading thedisclosure.

The terms and expressions, which have been employed, are used as termsof description and not of limitation. In this regard, where certainterms are defined under “Definitions” and are otherwise defined,described, or discussed elsewhere in the “Detailed Description,” allsuch definitions, descriptions, and discussions are intended to beattributed to such terms. There also is no intention in the use of suchterms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shownand described or portions thereof. Furthermore, while subheadings, e.g.,“Definitions,” are used in the “Detailed Description,” such use issolely for ease of reference and is not intended to limit any disclosuremade in one section to that section only; rather, any disclosure madeunder one subheading is intended to constitute a disclosure under eachand every other subheading.

It is recognized that various modifications are possible within thescope of the claimed invention. Thus, it should be understood that,although the present invention has been specifically disclosed in thecontext of preferred embodiments and optional features, those skilled inthe art may resort to modifications and variations of the conceptsdisclosed herein. Such modifications and variations are considered to bewithin the scope of the invention as claimed herein.

For reasons of completeness, various aspects of the invention are setout in the following numbered clauses:

Clause 1. A method of distinguishing between a patient with aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma and a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma, which method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        and a break-apart probe for ERG,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a        break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN,    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2,    -   (vi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (vii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27,    -   (viii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and a chromosome enumeration        probe for chromosome 8 (CEP8),    -   (ix) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-part probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (x) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (xi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN,    -   (xiii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific        probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific        probe for MDM2,    -   (xiv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and a locus-specific probe        for FGFR1,    -   (xv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for MYC,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xvi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        PTEN,    -   (xvii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27, or    -   (xviii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a chromosome enumeration probe        for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a        break-apart probe for ERG,        under hybridizing conditions,

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (i)-(vi),(viii), (xi), (xiv), (xv), and (xvii) is used to determine % loss ofFGFR1,

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 in the sets of (vii), (ix),and, as an alternative to % loss of FGFR1, (xiv), is used to determine %gain of FGFR1,

wherein CEP8 in the sets of (ix)-(xiv), (xvi), and (xviii) is used todetermine % loss of CEP8,

wherein the locus-specific probe for PTEN in sets (iii) and (viii) isused to determine % homozygous loss of PTEN,

wherein the locus-specific probe for PTEN in set (xvi) is used todetermine % loss of PTEN, and

wherein the locus-specific probe for FGFR1 and CEP8 in the sets of(viii), and as an alternative to % gain of FGFR1, (ix), are used todetermine % loss of FGFR1/CEP8 ratio, and

(b) determining the presence of a chromosomal abnormality in the sample,

wherein a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 30,

wherein a FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells with FGFR copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40,

wherein a FGFR1% gain (% gain is % of cells with FGFR copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 46,

wherein a CEP8% loss (% loss is % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 21 to less than or equal to 36,

wherein a CEP8% gain (% gain is % of cells with CEP8 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to 15 to less than or equal to 40,

wherein a FGFR1/CEP8% loss of greater than or equal to 13 to less thanor equal to 72,

wherein a PTEN % homozygous loss (% homozygous loss is % of cells withPTEN copy numbers of zero) of greater than or equal to two and less thanor equal to 40,

wherein a PTEN % loss (% loss is % of cells with PTEN copy number ofless than two) of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to50,

wherein a ERG 2+Edel of greater than or equal to one to less than orequal to 30,

wherein a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYCN copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 30,

wherein a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy numbers>2) ofgreater than or equal to two to less than or equal to 20,

wherein a NKX3.1% loss (% loss is % of cells with NKX3.1 copy numbers<2)of greater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50,

wherein an ETV1% translocation/deletion of greater than or equal to 1 toless than or equal to 20,

wherein a P27% loss (% loss is % of cells with P27 copy numbers<2) ofgreater than or equal to 10 to less than or equal to 50, or

wherein an AURKA % gain (% gain is % of cells with AURKA copy numbers>2)of greater than or equal to 1 to less than or equal to 20

indicates that the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma,

whereas none of the above indicates that the patient has indolent,prostatic adenocarcinoma,

whereupon a patient with aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma isdistinguished from a patient with indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein, if a patient has had aprostatectomy, the determination of the presence of a chromosomalabnormality in the sample indicates that the patient has a high risk ofrecurrence or metastasis.

Clause 3. The method of clause 2, which further comprises recommendingthat the patient consult his physician for immediate treatment toinhibit or prevent recurrence or metastasis.

Clause 4. The method of clause 1, wherein, if a patient has/is beinginitially diagnosed with prostate cancer and the patient has a high riskof developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, the method furthercomprises recommending that the patient consult his physician forimmediate treatment.

Clause 5. The method of clause 1, wherein, if a patient has/is beinginitially diagnosed with prostate cancer and the patient has indolent,prostatic adenocarcinoma, the method further comprises recommendingactive surveillance or watchful waiting.

Clause 6. A method of identifying a patient with a high risk ofdeveloping aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, which method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        and a break-apart probe for ERG,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a        break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN, or    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2, under hybridizing conditions, and    -   (b) determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the        sample,    -   wherein for (i) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 26 and/or a FGFR1% loss        (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than        or equal to 26,    -   wherein for (ii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC        copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 14, a FGFR1% loss (%        loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or        equal to 26, and/or an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to        10,    -   wherein for (iii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC        copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to eight, a FGFR1% loss        (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than        or equal to 26, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10,        and/or a PTEN % homozygous loss of greater than or equal to 20,    -   wherein for (iv) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC        copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (%        loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or        equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10,        and/or a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYCN copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 20, or    -   wherein for (v) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss        is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or        equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10,        and/or a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 10    -   indicates that the patient has a high risk of developing        aggressive, prostate adenocarcinoma, whereupon a patient with a        high risk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma is        identified.

Clause 7. The method of clause 6, wherein (i) further consists of, orany of (ii)-(v) further comprises, a chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 8, a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10, alocus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, alocus-specific probe for P27, and/or a break-apart probe for ETV1.

Clause 8. The method of clause 6 or 7, which further comprises obtaininga clinical parameter selected from the group consisting of a Gleasonscore, a tumor stage, a level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), anomogram, methylation status, mutation, and age of the patient, any ofwhich can be combined with the determination of the presence ofchromosomal abnormalities for prognosis.

Clause 9. The method of any of clauses 6-8, which comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with a set of detectablylabeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, alocus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a break-apart probe for ERG underhybridizing conditions, and

(b) determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample,

wherein one or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to 14, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 26, anda ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10 indicates that the patienthas a high risk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Clause 10. A method of identifying a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma, which method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        and a break-apart probe for ERG,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a        break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for PTEN,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MYCN, or    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2, under hybridizing conditions, and

(b) determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample,

-   -   wherein for (i) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two and/or a FGFR1% loss        (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than        or equal to 10,    -   wherein for (ii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC        copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss        (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than        or equal to 10, and/or an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal        to two,    -   wherein for (iii) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC        copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss        (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than        or equal to 10, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10,        and/or a PTEN % homozygous loss of greater than or equal to 20,    -   wherein for (iv) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC        copy numbers>2) of greater than or equal to two, a FGFR1% loss        (% loss is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than        or equal to 18, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to two,        and/or a MYCN % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYCN copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 20, or    -   wherein for (v) a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to 30, a FGFR1% loss (% loss        is % of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or        equal to 20, an ERG % 2+Edel of greater than or equal to two,        and/or a MDM2% gain (% gain is % of cells with MDM2 copy        numbers>2) of greater than or equal to three,

indicates that the patient has a high risk of developing aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma and none of the foregoing indicates that thepatient has indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma,

whereupon a patient with indolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma isidentified.

Clause 11. The method of clause 10, wherein (i) further consists of, orany of (ii)-(v) further comprises, a chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 8, a chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10, alocus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, alocus-specific probe for P27, and/or a break-apart probe for ETV1.

Clause 12. The method of clause 10 or 11, which further comprisesobtaining a clinical parameter selected from the group consisting of aGleason score, a tumor stage, a level of PSA, a nomogram, methylationstatus, mutation, and age of the patient, any of which can be combinedwith the determination of the presence of chromosomal abnormalities forprognosis.

Clause 13. The method of any of clauses 10-12, which comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient with a set of detectablylabeled probes comprising a locus-specific probe for MYC, alocus-specific probe for FGFR1, a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and abreak-apart probe for ERG under hybridizing conditions, and

(b) determining the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in the sample,

wherein one or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than or equal to two, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than or equal to 10, aPTEN % homozygous loss of greater than or equal to 20, and a ERG %2+Edel of greater than or equal to 10 indicates that the patient has ahigh risk of developing aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma and none ofthe foregoing indicates that the patient has indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma.

Clause 14. A set of detectably labeled probes, wherein the set of probesis:

-   -   (i) a set of detectably labeled probes consisting of a        locus-specific probe for MYC and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (ii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (iii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27,    -   (iv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a locus-specific probe for FGFR1,        a locus-specific probe for PTEN, and a chromosome enumeration        probe for chromosome 8,    -   (v) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-part probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (vi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        NKX3.1,    -   (vii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (viii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific        probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific        probe for MYCN,    -   (ix) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        MDM2,    -   (x) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ETV1, and a locus-specific probe        for FGFR1,    -   (xi) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a locus-specific probe for MYC,        a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        FGFR1,    -   (xii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a chromosome        enumeration probe for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for        MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, and a locus-specific probe for        PTEN,    -   (xiii) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for MYC, a break-apart probe for ERG, a        locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a locus-specific probe for        P27, or    -   (xiv) a set of detectably labeled probes comprising a        locus-specific probe for AURKA, a chromosome enumeration probe        for chromosome 8, a locus-specific probe for MYC, and a        break-apart probe for ERG.

Clause 15. The set of probes of clause 14, which further comprises adetectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 8, adetectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe for chromosome 10, adetectably labeled locus-specific probe for AURKA, a detectably labeledlocus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a detectably labeled locus-specificprobe for P27, and/or a detectably labeled break-apart probe for ETV1.

Clause 16. A set of probes comprising a detectably labeled,locus-specific probe for MYC, a detectably labeled, locus-specific probefor FGFR1, and a detectably labeled, break-apart probe for ERG.

Clause 17. The set of probes of clause 16, which further comprises adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for PTEN.

Clause 18. The set of probes of clause 16, which further comprises adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MYCN.

Clause 19. The set of probes of clause 16, which further comprises adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MDM2.

Clause 20. The set of probes of any of clauses 16-19, which furthercomprises a detectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 8, a detectably labeled chromosome enumeration probe forchromosome 10, a detectably labeled locus-specific probe for AURKA, adetectably labeled locus-specific probe for NKX3.1, a detectably labeledlocus-specific probe for P27, and/or a detectably labeled break-apartprobe for ETV1.

Clause 21. A kit comprising a set of probes and instructions forcarrying out the method of any of clauses 1-5.

Clause 22. A kit comprising a set of probes and instructions forcarrying out the method of any of clauses 6-8.

Clause 23. The kit of clause 22, which comprises:

(a) a set of probes that enables identification of a patient withaggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, wherein the set of probescomprises a detectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MYC, adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for FGFR1, and a detectablylabeled, break-apart probe for ERG, and

(b) instructions for identifying a patient with a high risk ofdeveloping aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma, wherein theinstructions comprise determining in a sample obtained from the patientthe presence of chromosomal abnormalities,

wherein one or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than 14, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cells withFGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than 26, and a ERG % 2+Edel of greaterthan 10 indicates that the patient has a high risk of developingaggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Clause 24. A kit comprising a set of probes and instructions forcarrying out the method of any of clauses 10-12.

Clause 25. The kit of clause 24, which comprises:

(a) a set of probes that enables identification of a patient withindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma, wherein the set of probes comprisesa detectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MYC, a detectablylabeled, locus-specific probe for FGFR1, a detectably labeled,break-apart probe for ERG, and a detectably labeled, locus-specificprobe for PTEN, and

(b) instructions for identifying a patient with indolent, prostaticadenocarcinoma, wherein the instructions comprise determining in asample obtained from the patient the presence of chromosomalabnormalities,

wherein one or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cells with MYC copynumbers>2) of greater than two, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is % of cellswith FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than 10, a PTEN % homozygous lossof greater than 20, and a ERG % 2+Edel of greater than 10 indicates thatthe patient has a high risk of developing aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma and none of the foregoing indicates that the patient hasindolent, prostatic adenocarcinoma.

What is claimed is:
 1. A set of distinctly, detectably labeled probesconsisting of a locus specific probe for MYC labeled with an aquafluorophore, a locus specific probe for FGFR1 labeled with a goldfluorophore, and a break-apart probe for ERG labeled with a greenfluorophore and a red fluorophore.
 2. A kit consisting of: (a) a set ofprobes that enables identification of a patient with aggressive,prostatic adenocarcinoma, wherein the set of probes consists of adetectably labeled, locus-specific probe for MYC labeled with an aquafluorophore, a locus specific probe for FGFR1 labeled with a goldfluorophore, and a break-apart probe for ERG labeled with a greenfluorophore and a red fluorophore; (b) instructions for identifying apatient with a high risk of developing aggressive, prostaticadenocarcinoma, wherein the instructions comprise determining in asample obtained from the patient the presence of chromosomalabnormalities, wherein one or more of a MYC % gain (% gain is % of cellswith MYC copy numbers>2) of greater than 14, an FGFR1% loss (% loss is %of cells with FGFR1 copy numbers<2) of greater than 26, and a ERG %2+Edel of greater than 10 indicates that the patient has a high risk ofdeveloping aggressive, prostatic adenocarcinoma.